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ENGFAVErjEyrBWELCH./FHn."lFHOMADAGUBHH£:oryi^EBrM.Ji .^ S.RCCr. 




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GEN^ aAEIBALDI. 



WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. SS' 

SiStitlj ^Iwtt^ts of ^\s 

COMPANIONS IN ARMS. 



TRANSLATED BT HIS FRIEND AND ADMIRER 



THEODORE DWIGHT, 

▲UTHOR or "A TOUE IN ITALY IN 1821," "THE ROMAN EEPtJBLlO IN 1849, 
ETC., ETO, 



EMBELLISHED WITH A 



im inpalJfJr '^ntxut n ^inl 



NEW YORK: 

PUBLISHED BY A. S. BARNES & BURR 

SI & 53 JOHN STREET. 

WOLD BY BOOKSELLERS, GSNRBALLY, THKOUGHOUT TUB VNITBD BTATB8. 

I860. 






Entered accorrling to Act of Congress In the year 1S59, by 
A. S. BAENES & BUPwE, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern 
District of New York. 



By Trancfw 

MAR 25 1917 



Wm. denyse, 
Sterkotyper & Elkctrotyter, 
183 William St. N. Y. 



G. W. WOOD, Printer, 
Corner Dutch & John Streets, 
New York. 




I 



CONTENTS. 



PREFACE, 3 

INTRODUCTION, . . 7 

CHAPTER I. 

My Father — My Mother — ^Her Influence on my Life — Incidents of my Childhood 
— ^3kly First Schoolmasters, 13 



CHAPTER n. 

First Impressions of a Young Sailor — ^5Iy First Voyage — My Accomplished Cap- 
tain — My Second Voyage — ^First Visit to Rome — ^Impressions — My Prayers — 
Join the Secret Society — Sentence of Death — ^Escape to France — ^Incidents at 
Marseilles, ... 17 



CHAPTER ni. 

Voyage to Brazil— First Meeting with Rosetti — ^Wo Engage in Trade — ^Zambcc- 
cari's Arrival — ^The United Provinces — Engage in the Service of Rio Grande 
— Sail — My First Prize — Conduct of my Men — My Rule for Treating Prisoners 
— Reception at Maldonado — Sudden Departure, 23 

CHAPTER IV. 

Two Brazilian Vessels — ^My First Battle — My First Wound — ^Results — My own 
Condition — Burial of my Friend Fiorentino, 29 

CHAPTER V. 

Arrival at Gualaguay— Reception— My Wound Healed— My Sudden Departure 
and Return— Cruel Treatment— Senora Aleman— Tribute to that Noble Lady 
—Go to Bajada, 83 

(1) 



11 CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER YI. 

At Montevideo — ^Incognito — Departure for Rio Grande — March with the Army 
of the President, Bento Gonzalez — His Character, Family and Friends — 
Agreeable Society, 38 



CHAPTER VII. 

At the Galpon of Charginada, Repairing the Launches — My Friend, John Griggs 
— ^A Battle — ^Results — ^Tribute to a Fair Friend, 44 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Description of the Lake or Lagoon Dos Patos — ^The Enemy Command the Lake 
— Plan to Enter it — ^Transportation of Launches Over Land — ^Results of the 
Experiment — ^Breakers — ^Shipwreck — Sad Catastrophe, 50 

CHAPTER IX. 

Treatment Experienced by the Survivors of the Shipwreck — ^Expedition of 
Canabarro to Laguna — ^Results — ^Effects on my mind of the Loss of my Old 
Friends — My Resolution— Remarkable Meeting with Anna — Our Marriage — 
New Launches Built — Leave the Lagoon — Cruise at Sea — ^Prizes Taken — ^Fight 
with a Brazilian Ship of War — ^Results, 57 



CHAPTER X. 

Discontent of the People of St. Catharine's — ^Revolt at Jamaica — Attack on that 
town — Conduct of the Troops — ^Retreat to the Lagoon — ^Pursued — ^The Im- 
perialists Gaining Strength— Col. Terceira's Expedition Against Mello — Our 
Disaster— Rally, 



CHAPTER XL 

The Enemy still held in Check— Necessity of Retreat — Preparation— Commenco- 
nicnt— Progress— Result— Arrival at the Town of Lages, .... 76 



CHAPTER XII. 

My Iligli Estimate of the " Sons of the Continent"— Defects in Discipline— I 
Descend the Serra— Difficulties of the March— Reach Malacara — General 
Jorge— Gens. Netto and Canabarro— Two Large Armies Meet at Pineirino, on 
the Taguare— Patriotism of the Republicans— A wish for Italy— Result of the 
Expedition, 8* 



A 



CONTENTS. Ill 



CHAPTER XIIL 

San Jose Del Norte— Its Capture— 111 Conduct^Its Results— Disasters of the 
Republicans— I go to San Simon— Birth of my First Child— My Solitary Jour- 
ney to Procure Necessary Clothing for my Little Family — Trials and Oppres- 
sions — Sad Discovery on My Return, , 92 



CHAPTER XIV. 

The River Kapivari — ^My New Camp — Canoe Voyages to the Lake Dos Patoe — 
State of the Republican Army Declining — Death of my Bosom Friend, Rosetti 
— ^Retreat — ^DifBculties and Sufferings — Anna's Exposure — Our Infant — Kind- 
ness of the soldiers, 97 



CHAPTER XV. 

Hunting Horses — Catching Wild Colts — Enter the Province of Missiones — Head- 
quarters Established at San Gabriel — Love for my Parents — ^I turn Cattle- 
Drover — Results — Reach Montevideo — ^Tcach Mathematics — Warlike Prepara- 
tions — Join the Oriental Sq[uadron, 104 



• CHAPTER XVI. 

Origin of the War between Montevideo and Buenos Ayres — Character and Con- 
duct of Rosas, Ouribes — ^I'he Centralists, called Unitarians, Opposed to the 
Republicans, 109 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Condition of the Italians at Montevideo, and elsewhere — My Wishes and 
Designs for their Benefit — In Command of the " Constitucion" — At Martin 
Garcia — A Battle with the Enemy — ^Providential Results — Proceed to Bajada 
— At Cerito — Another Fight — Cavallo-Quattia — Low Water — Join the Republi- 
can Flotilla — Labors and DifBculties, 114 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

The Enemy Appear under General Brown— We Fight— Labors and Fatigue by 
Night — Desertion — ^Preparations to Renew the Battle — Another Fight — 
Vessels Burned— Landing in Small Boats— Land Travel— Treatment by the 
Inhabitants — Traverse the Province of Corrientes — Reach San Francisco — 
Notice of tke Battle of Arroyo Grande, Dec. 6, 1842 — Sent by Gen. Aguyar to 
Versilles with the Vessels — Strange Presentiment— Catching Horses— Bad 
News, 122 



IV CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Public Dismay — ^Enthusiasm of the People Rising — ^I Return to Montevideo— 
Ourives Coming to Besiege it — Preparations for Defence — General Paz— I am 
Ordered to Collect a Flotilla — A Fortunate Accident, 134 



CHAPTER XX. 

The Enemy reach Montevideo — Gen. Rivera's Movement on their Left Flank — 
Gen. Paz Commands in the City — Services by the French and Italian Corps — 
Treachery — Mismanagement — Gen. Pacheco Corrects it — Attack on the Ba- 
siegers — ^Italian Legion Distinguished — Anzani — Services of the Flotilla — A 
Providential Event — Commodore Purvis — British Intervention — Negotiation, 139 



CHAPTER XXI. 

Exploits of the Italian Legion during the Siege— Tres Cruces— The Pass of Bo- 
jada — ^The Quadrado — General Rivera Defeated at India Muerta, but without 
Discouraging Efforts, Intervention Continued — An Expedition in the Uruguay, 
the Flotilla being under my Command, ... .... 148 

CHAPTER XXII. 

The Expedition Proceeds for the Uruguay — Colonia Taken by it — Burned — 
Page, a Suspicious Frenchman—- Mar tin Garcia Taken, 154 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

First Meeting with a '* Martrero " — ^Description of his Habits and Character — 
Another Martrero, Juan do la Cruz — ^Tlie Rio Negro — Joseph Mundell — The 
severity of the Enemy Drive the Martrero and People to us, . . . 157 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

The Expedition Proceeds— Surprise Gualcguaycchu — Reach the Hervidero — 
Accompanied by an English and a French Officer— A large Estancia, and its 
numerous Horses and other Animals— I leave the Vessels in Charge of An- 
zani — Go with the Martrcros — La Cruz and Mundell— Attack on the Hervi- 
dero — Battle of Arroyo Grande, 163 

CHAPTER XXV. 

The Province of Corrientes calls General Paz from Montevideo — Alliance with 
Paraguay— I go to Salto with the Flotilla, to relieve it from a Siege— With La 
Cruz and Mundell attack Lavalleja— Return to Salto, . . . . . J71 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

CFrquiza Besieges us in Salto with all his Forces — tur Defences Incomplete — A 
sudden Attack — Repulsed Sorties — Bold Operation on the opposite Bank of 
the River — Surprising Feats of the Horsemen — Their Habits, . . 178 

CHAPTER XXVn. 

The Siege of Salto Continued — Night Attack on the Enemy's Camp — Successful 
— General Medina approaching — Send Gen. Baez and Anzani to Meet him — 
A Great Surprise— Almost Overwhelmed by the Enemy— Fight till Night — 
Retreat, 184 



CHAPTER XXYIIL 

Preparations for our Retreat — Attacked on the Way — Bravery of my Italians 
— I never Despaired of Italy— The noble Character of Anzani — Reach Salto — 
Kindness of French Physicians — Collect and Bury the Dead, .... 191 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

Effects of the Revolution in Montevideo — Change of Duties of the Italian Legion 
— No Important Military Movements — My Occupation with the Marine — Diplo- 
matic Negotiations — The Temporizing Policy of Rosas — Change of English 
and French Agents and Admirals — Evil Consequences — ^Rivera in fsvor in 
Montevideo — ^My Operations at Salto Continued — Surprise Vergara's Camp — 
Leave it to Return 196 



CHAPTER XXX. 

On the March Back to Salto — Sudden Attack— Desperate Defence — Flight and 
Pursuit — ^The " Bolla " — Excellence of the Horsemen — ^Incidents, . . 203 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

I Return to Montevideo, with the Flotilla — Rosas Gains Strength — The Army 
of Corrientes Destroyed by Urquisa — Rivera's Mismanagement — The Inter- 
vention Misdirected — Fall of Salto — Defence again reduced to Montevideo — 
High Deserts of its Defenders, Natives and Foreigners, not yet appreciated 
— An interval occurs, not marked by important events— The Revolutions in 
Europe, ... 208 



SKETCHES OF GARIBALDI'S COMPANIONS IN ARMS. WRriTFN BY HIM- 

SEI^, 213 

Biographical Sketch of Anna Garibaldi, 215 



VI CONTENTS. 

Hugh (or Ugo) Bassi, . 230 

Biographical Sketch of Ugo Bassi, - 232 

*« " Luigi Carniglia, 238 

« " Antonio Elio, 240 



A CHAPTER BY THE TRANSLATOR OF THE PRECEDING PAGES. Reasons 
for adding the succeeding pages — ^View of Rome at Garibaldi's arrival, 
and during the period of the Republic, in 1849 — ^Remarks on the 
Calumnies oi Enemies, 245 

OUTLINES OF GENERAL GARIBALDI'S CAREER IN ITALY DURING THE 

YEARS 1848 & 1849, 253 

Principles of the Italian Republicans, in opposition to the claims of Popery, 255 

Tlie Condition of Rome, 258 

Official Report of the Repulse of the French advance of 8,000 men, under 
General Oudinot, under the Walls of Rome — ^The First Battle : April 
30th, 1849, 263 

From an Account of the same Battle of April 30th, by Carlo Rusconi, . 269 

Spirited Proclamation to the People of Rome, by their Representatives, 
the day after the first Battle, 270 

Proclamation by the Committee of the Barricades, two days after the 
first Battle, ... 271 

The Neapolitan Invasion, 272 

Proclamations of the Triumvirate, at the time of the Neapolitan Invasion, 273 

The Battle ot Palestrina, 274 

General Garibaldi's Account of the Rattles of Palestrina and Velletri, . 276 

The Battle of Velletri, 277 

General Garibaldi's Account of the Action of June 3d, 1849, with the 
French, at Villas Cor sini and Vascello, 280 

Official Bulletin of events which took place on the 25th and 26th of Jime, 
1849, 285 



MONUMENTS OF ART IN ROME, Destroyed, Injured or Endangered by the 

French : Measures adopted by the Republicans to protect them, . . 290 

Protest against the Destruction of Monuments by the French, . . 296 

Circular to the Foreign Representatives, 299 

The Bombardment of Rome, 302 

The Opening of tho Inquisition, ...,,.,,. 304 



CONTENTS. VU 

THE BATTLE OF JUNE 30TH, 305 

The City to cease her resistance, 306 

Roman Republic, 307 

The Constitution of the Roman Republic adopted — The Constituent Assem- 
bly Dissolved, . 309 

Proclamation of the Minister of War 311 

Garibaldi's Departure from Rome with his remaining troops, and his 

Celebrated Retreat to the Adriatic, 311 

San Marino, . 313 

CONCLUSION, 316 

Garibaldi's Appearance on his first arrival in New York, in 1860, . . 317 



tM 



■'^^^==^: 



PREFACE. 



The world has heard the fame of Giuseppe 
Garibaldi, the distinguished soldier who nobly 
fought for South American liberty, and glori- 
ously defended Rome, in 1849 : but few men 
have been acquainted with the details of his 
life, many of which we now present, written 
by his own pen. In the following pages 
will be found ample evidence of several facts 
highly interesting and instructive, as they 
prove the origin of his greatness to be a pure 
and noble heart, a character eminently humane 
and disinterested, and show that one object 
which he had in view in training his country- 
men in South America to fight for freedom 
there, was, to prepare them for the service of the 
same cause in their native land, whenever the 
time should arrive. In the Italian revolutions 
of 1848 and '9, he first brought this design into 
practice, particularly by gallantly repulsmg, with 

(3) 



PREFACE. 



an insignificant force, eight thousand Frenchmen 
from the gates of Rome, and by routing the 
army and king of Naples on their own fron- 
tiers. He gained scarcely less honor by his 
splendid retreat after the fall of Rome, before 
two overwhelming armies of French and Aus- 
trians ; and by his noble endurance of adversity, 
in various forms, in America and Europe. 

Garibaldi has now been recalled to the field, 
and under circumstances of the highest interest. 
He is in command of the Patriotic Volunteers 
who began to pour into Piedmont, from all parts 
of Italy, on the announcement of the Austrian 
invasion ; and, before this work can pass through 
the press, events of the highest moment must 
transpire. But, whatever may be the results, 
the following pages must increase in interest 
with time, as they record some of the great 
deeds of one of the noblest and most distin- 
guished soldiers of the age. 

The following autobiography of the celebrated 
General Garibaldi is literally translated fi'om his 
own private manuscripts. Those he kindly 
placed in the hands of the translator in the year 
1850, with pennission to translate and publish 
them. A few months afterwards he requested 



PREFACE. 



that they might be withheld from the press, for 
reasons which seemed to him cogent : but the 
prohibition was voluntarily withdrawn some 
time ago, and the present is a crisis which em- 
phatically demands the publication. Some of the 
proper names were written indistinctly in the 
onginal manuscripts, and several passages were 
marked for transposition, but obscurely; and 
consequently a few errors may have crept into 
the translation. 

The original is understood to have been writ- 
ten during the first part of the long convales- 
cence of General Garibaldi, while he was re- 
siding in retirement in 1849, just before his voy- 
age to New York, where some portions were 
added, from time to time, at the request of the 
translator. The entire manuscripts were in a 
neat, uniform hand, almost entirely free from 
erasures or additions. The "Sketches of his 
Companions in Arms," which will be found in 
the Appendix, were written in 1850, while he 
was residing on Staten Island, and most of the 
time employed at daily labor, in the candle 
manufactory of his countryman and friend, Sig. 
Meucci. After he had finished those sketches, 
he excused himself to the transLitor for desist- 



PREFACE. 



ing from furtlier writing, on account of the fa- 
tigue lie felt after his regular days' work. This 
took place only a few weeks after he had de- 
clined the honors of a public reception in New 
York, and earnestly recommended to his fellow- 
exiles here the rejection of any pecuniary aid 
from others, while they were able to earn their 
living by any kind of labor, however severe or 
humble. 

He subsequently made several voyages in 
the Pacific Ocean, as commander of merchant 
vessels, and has since been cultivating a small 
Island on the coast of Sardinia. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The present work is one of peculiar interest, and of a 
very peculiar nature. The present time is also peculiarly- 
favorable to its publication. It is, perhaps, impossible 
to find a parallel, in the several important points which 
chiefly recommend it — it being the autobiography of the 
most distinguished' soldier of the age, whose actions 
have displayed extraordinary and admirable traits 
of character, written, not for publication, but for his 
private use, and containing details of much interest, at 
once entertaining and instructive, and, at the same 
time, displaying sentiments in the highest degree 
engaging to the reader and honorable to the author. 
The qualities of General Garibaldi's pure and exalted 
character are here presented, without the effort of a 
eulogizing friend, but unostentiously, and even unin- 
tentionally, in the simple and natural narrative of the 
actor himself, which, while written in an unaffected, 
but appropriate and polished style, records the great 
deeds of his life and the exploits of his companions. 

The Autobiography embraces only the earlier periods 
of his life : but later scenes in which he has been 
engaged, are, in great part, introduced in descriptions 
of his own, and other official reports of various military 
movements and battles, being translated for this work. 

The sketches of his " Companions in Arms" which 
follow his Autobiography, contain some reference to 
events of periods posterior to that at which they termi- 



INTRODUCTION. 



nate : but they will be explained by accounts con- 
tained in the subsequent pages. 

General Garibaldi has recently performed one of the 
2:reatest exploits, by boldly turning the right wing of 
the Austrians, passing to their rear and raising the 
Lombards in insurrection. 

The name of Garibaldi had been for many years 
familiar to many of our countrymen, without t)eing 
associated with anything more than indefinite ideas 
of his distinguished military career, until he appeared 
at the head of the Eomans in 1849, in their heroic 
defence of their city and Republic. The unexpected 
repulse of the advanced troops of General Oudinot, 
the two gallant yictories of the Romans over the Nea- 
politans, the manly defence of Rome through the 
French siege, and his masterly retreat after the fall of 
that city, and his visit to our country, made him better 
known in the United States : but the detached and 
conflicting accounts of those times, and the aspersions 
of the secret enemies of freedom since, have rendered 
it impossible for many common readers to obtain just 
and connected conceptions of the prominent men 
engaged in those eventful scenes. 

The translator of the present work has already 
published a brief history of ^' The Roman Republic of 
1849, '^ and there endeavored to furnish facts most im- 
portant to those who desire to know the nature of the 
late struggle in Rome, and the character, capacity, and 
designs of its leaders. He has there given an outline 
of the life of General Garibaldi: but so little space 
was allowed in that volume, that only a glimpse has 
been afforded ; and a more extended account is de- 
manded by the American public. The author has 
enjoyed peculiar advantages in the prosecution of his 
work, having visited Italy during the revolution of 
1820 and '21, having been for years on terms of inti- 
macy with some of the most devoted Italian patriots, 
and long advocated their cause through the American 
press, to the extent of his feeble powers. He has 
been familiar with passing events in Italy, and with 
Italians out of Italy ; and, as he believes that Provi- 



INTRODUCTION. 9 



dence lias committed to tliem, in a prominent degree, 
the execution of some of liis greatest designs, and the 
fulfilment of some of tlie most glorious prophesies and 
promises recorded in the Bible, especially in overturn- 
ing popery, their progress has been watched with the 
deepest interest. His acquaintance with leading men 
has given him a regard for them which he would fain 
see participated by his countrymen ; and the present 
volume he presents with a consciousness that, Avhile it 
does only justice to the most daring and ^disinterested 
warrior living, it depicts a character and recounts a 
life which Americans ought, and surely will know how 
to honor, to confide in, and to love. 

If there be any personage in history, distinguished 
by extraordinary conduct and gallantry in the field, 
and, through a long military career, has clearly proved 
to have derived extraordinary courage, fortitude, mag- 
nanimity and generosity, from the pure influences of 
domestic life ; if there be on record a distinct and 
decided testimony of any military hero, declaring that 
he has been stimulated to fight and conquer, to spare 
foes and forgive offences, to expose life, and to sacrifice 
ease and fortune, friends and country, in order to 
defend the weak and oppressed, and whose life has 
shown that this, and not ambition, a spirit of adven- 
ture, or the love of gold or of blood, has been his 
motive, in a greater degree than Garibaldi, When and 
where did such a man live, and what was his name ? 

The following pages contain many lively pictures 
of scenery, men and manners, in that interesting por- 
tion of South America where Garibaldi performed his 
surprising feats of skill and bravery, in the defence of 
the generous but unfortunate inhabitants. Peculiar 
interest will be given to this work, by the scarcity of 
information concerning the country and the people, as 
well as the confused accounts of the recent struggles 
against the oppression of Brazil on the one hand, and 
of Rosas, the cruel Dictator of Buenos Ayres on tlie 
other. To tlie friends of Italy, and the admirers of 
the surprising deeds of the Italian patriots in 1848 
and '49, especially those performed by the Republicans 
1^- 



10 INTRODUCTION. 



of Rome, gTatifying explanations will be found here 
of the career of General Garibaldi, by displaying his 
disinterested love of his country and his fellow-men, 
and tracing them to that pure source from which they 
most naturally flow, — viz., the home of his infancy, the 
instructions of his childhood, and the lips and the ex- 
ample of his mother. 

We there arrive at a period in the life of General 
Garibaldi, which may well excite the feelings of 
the reader beyond all the preceding scenes through 
which he had passed, interesting and often astonishing 
as they were. He was called, in 1849, to the active 
defence of the Italian Republic in the city of Rome, 
and performed great and glorious deeds under the 
v/alls of that city, which he had contemplated in his 
childhood with inexpressible feelings of veneration 
for the past, indignation at the present, and ardent 
desire for the future, mingled with hope and sustain- 
ed by prayer. The time at length arrived when he 
was called from the obscure position which he held 
among the mountains, with a band of ill-armed and 
ill-paid men, patriots indeed, and some of them the 
remains of his veteran Italian Legion, wdiich he had 
so long trained in South America, but all of them de- 
pressed, if not disheartened, by the loss of all in the 
North of Italy, and the relapse of a largo part of 
Europe back to the old system. 

The assemblage of Italians in Rome, from all quarters 
of Italy, presented a scene at once interesting and 
instructive. It proved, in a practical and forcible 
manner, the success of the efforts which had been made 
for many years, by intelligent patriots, to propagate a 
spirit of unity. The Republicans generally, indeed 
universally, adopted the idea so early embraced by 
Garibaldi, during his first visit to Rome, that the 
Italians ought to feel like brethren of one family, 
members of the same nation, with Rome as their metrop- 
olis. Italians, therefore, came in from all directions, 
and entered, it may be said, by all her gates ; yet, com- 
pared with the native citizens of the capital, these 
formed but a small number, although the enemies of 



INTRODUCTION. 11 



the Republic were guilty of a double falsehood, in tlieir 
misrepresentation of the case : first, by pretending 
that the defenders of Rome were not her citizens, but 
overawed the inhabitants, and acted contrary to their 
will ; and, second, by calling all other Italians 
'' foreigners." Under these false pretences the Pope 
called in foreign sovereigns to interfere, and restore 
him to power ; and under these false pretences it was 
that Prance, Austria, Naples and Spain answered, and 
the deed was performed by the first-named power. 

By a course of falsehood, hypocrisy, and self-contra- 
diction. Prance proceeded to accomplish what had been 
planned for the overthrow of a sister Republic. This 
will be evident to one who reviews the successive steps 
in diplomatic negociations, in military movements, and 
armistices, a series of acts of false faith, such as can 
hardly be paralleled in any other page of history of 
double its length. And, what is peculiarly painful 
for an American, the part which our own government 
performed in the disgraceful drama, the dark and 
bloody tragedy, was one which will forever discredit us : 
for, while our Minister at Paris recognized the Prench 
Republic of 1848, without delay, Mr. Cass, Jun., our 
Charge in Rome, never recognized the Roman Republic 
at all, but often and openly visited the Prench head- 
quarters, during the siege of the city. It is true that, 
on the one hand, we are told that his instructions from 
Washington were, not to acknowledge the new Roman 
government, unless there should be a prospect of its 
continuance : but, on the other, any man of sense must 
see that there was, at least, equal reason for sending simi- 
lar instructions to our Minister in Paris, and for his de- 
laying his recognition. We may, indeed, say more than 
this : for, in the circumstances then existing, the simple 
act of recognizing the Roman Republic by our govern- 
ment would probably have secured its permanency. 
Louis Napoleon^s unprincipled course would tlien have 
drawn remonstrances from us, and he could hardly have 
proceeded through it with success. 

And yet, to be impartial, we must not blame our 
government so much as our people — ourselves. Most 



12 INTRODUCTION. 



lamentable it is, but most true, that few, even of the 
wisest and best men in the United States, duly appre- 
ciated the cause of Italy. So culpably indifferent were 
they to the great questions then pending, to the great 
principles then nobly, heroically proclaimed and 
defended by the Italians, that they neglected to be- 
come acquainted with the merits of the controversy, 
and allowed the government at Washington to adopt 
the unmanly, self-contradictory policy, which placed 
us on the side of the Pope, Austria, and France, and 
against the defenders of Rome. These we deserted, 
and left to be made martyrs by the enemies of human 
freedom, and the usurper of the throne of God. 
England had before aided in restoring the Pope to 
power, in opposition to the will of his own subjects : 
but America then, for the first time, appeared on his 
side. Will it be the last ? Yes, surely, if the people 
of the United States learn their right hand from their 



left in season : otherwise not. 







GENERAL GARIlBALDI. 



CHAPTER I. 



MY FATHER — MY MOTHER — HER INFLUEN"CE ON MY LIFE — INCIDENTS OP 
MY CHILDHOOD — MY FIRST SCHOOLMASTERS. 

In commencing an account of my life, it would be un- 
pardonable in me to omit speaking of my kind parents. 

My father, a sailor, and the son of a sailor, educated 
me in the best manner he could in Nice, my native 
city, and afterwards trained me to the life of a seaman 
in a vessel with himself. He had navigated vessels of 
his own in his youth ; but a change of fortune had 
compelled him afterwards to serve in those belonging 
to his father. He used often to tell his children that 
he would gladly have left them richer ; but I am fully 
convinced that the course which he adopted in our ed- 
ucation was the best he possibly could have taken, and 
that he procured for us the best instructors he was 
able, perhaps sometimes, at the expense of his own con- 
venience. If, therefore, I Avas not trained in a gymna- 
sium, it was by no means owing to his want of desire. 

In mentioning my mother — I speak it with pride — 
she was a model for mothers; and, in saying this, I 



14 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

have said all that can be said. One of the greatest 
sorrows of my life is, that I am not able to brighten 
the last days of my good parent, whose path I have 
strewed with so many sorrows by my adventurous ca- 
reer. Her tender affection for me has, perhaps, been 
excessive ; but do I not owe to her love, to her angel- 
like character, the little good that belongs to mine ? 
To the piety of my mother, to her beneficent and char- 
itable nature, do I not, perhaps, owe that little love of 
country which has gained for me the sympathy and af- 
fection of my good, but unfortunate fellow^-citizens ? 
Although certainly not superstitious, often, amidst the 
most arduous scenes of my tumultuous life, w^hen I have 
passed unharmed through the breakers of the ocean, or 
the hail-storms of battle, she has seemed present with 
me. I have in fancy seen her on her knees before the 
Most High — my dear mother ! — imploring for the life 
of her son ; and I have believed in the efBcacy of her 
prayers. 

I spent my childhood in the joys and sorrows famil- 
iar to children, without the occurrence of anything 
very remarkable. Being more fond of plaj^ than of 
study, I learned but little, and made but a poor return 
for the kind exertions of my parents for my eduoation. 
A very simple accident made a deep impression on my 
memory. One day, vdien a very little boy, I caught a 
grasshopper, took it into tlie house, and, in handling 
it, broke its leg. Reflecting on the injury I had done 
to the harmless insect, I was so much affected with 



MY FIRST TEACHERS. 15 

grief, tliat I retired to my chamber, mourned over the 
poor little creature, weeping bitterly for several hours. 
On another occasion, while accompanying my cousin 
in hunting, I was standing on the side of a deep ditch, 
by which the fields were irrigated, when I discov- 
ered tliat a poor woman, while washing clothes, had 
fallen from the bank, and was in imminent danger. 
Although I was quite young and small, I jumped down 
and saved her life ; and my success afforded me the 
highest pleasure. On that occasion, and in various 
other circumstances of a similar kind, I never hesitated 
for a moment, or thought of my own safety. 

Among my teachers, I retain a grateful recollection 
of Padre Gianone and Signor Arena. Under the for- 
mer I.made but very little progress, being bent more 
on play than on learning ; but I have often regretted 
my loss in failing to learn English, whenever I have 
since been thrown in company with persons speaking 
that language. To the latter I consider myself greatly 
indebted for what little I know. The ignorance in 
which I was kept of the language of Italy, and of sub- 
jects connected with her condition and highest inter- 
ests, was common among the young, and greatly to be 
lamented. The defect was especially great in Nice, 
where few men knew how to be Italians, in conse- 
quence of the vicinity and influence of France, and 
still more tlie neglect of the government to provide a 
proper education for the people. To the instructions 
of Padi'e Gianone, and the incitement given me by my 



16 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

elder brother Angelo, who wrote to me from America 
to study my native language, I acknowledge my obliga- 
tions for what knowledge I possess of that most beau- 
tiful of languages. To my brother's influence, also, I 
owe it, that I then read Roman and Italian history 
with much interest. 

This sketch of my early youth I must close, with the 
narration of a little expedition which I attempted to 
carry into effect — my first adventure. Becoming 
weary of school in Genoa, and disgusted with the con- 
finement which I suffered at the desk, I one day pro- 
posed to several of my companions to make our escape, 
and seek our fortune. No sooner said than done. We 
got possession of a boat, put some provisions on board, 
with fishing tackle, and sailed for the Levant. But 
we had not gone as far as Monaco, when we were pur- 
sued and overtaken by a '^ corsair,'' commanded by 
good father. We were captured without bloodshed, 
and taken back to our homes, exceedingly mortified by 
the failure of our enterprise, and disgusted with an 
Abbe who had betrayed our flight. Two of my com- 
panions on that occasion were Cesare Tanoli and Raf- 
faele Deandreis. 

When I recur to the principles which were inculcat- 
ed at school, and tlie motives used to encourage us to 
study, I am now able to understand their unsoundness 
and their evil tendency. We were in danger of grow- 
ing up with only selfish and mercenary views : nothing 
was offered us as a reward for anything we could do, 
but money. 



CHAPTER II. 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OP A YOUNG- SAILOR— MY FIRST VOYAGE— MY AC- 
COMPLISHED CAPTAIN — MY SECOND VOYAGE— FIRST VISIT TO ROME- 
IMPRESSIONS — MY PRAYERS — JOIN THE SECRET SOCIETY — SEN- 
TENCE OP DEATH — ESCAPE TO FRANCE — INCIDENTS AT MARSEILLES. 

How everything is embellished by the feelings of youth, 
and how beautiful appeared, to my ardent eyes, the 
bark in which I was to navigate the Mediterranean, 
when I stepped on board as a sailor for the first time ! 
Her lofty sides, her slender masts, rising so gracefully 
and so high above, and the bust of Our Lady which 
adorned the bow, all remain as distinctly painted on 
my memory at the present day, as on the happy hour 
when I became one of her crew. How gracefully 
moved the sailors, who were fine young men from San 
Remi, and true specimens of the intrepid Ligurians 1 
With what pleasure I ventured into the forecastle, to 
listen to their popular songs, sung by harmonious 
choirs ! They sang of love, until I was transported ; 
and they endeavored to excite themselves to patriotism 
by singing of Italy ! But who, in those days, had ever 
taught them how to be patriots and Italians ? Who, 
indeed, had then ever said, on those shores, to those 

(H) 2 



18 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

young men, that there was such a thing, as Italy, or 
that they had a country to be ameliorated and re 
deemed? * 

The commander of the Costanza, the vessel in which 
I had embarked, was Angelo Pesante. He was the 
best sea-captain I ever knew, and ought to have the 
command of a ship of war of the first class, as soon as 
Italy shall have such a fleet as she deserves, — for a 
better commander could not be. He has, indeed, been 
captain of an armed vessel. Pesante was able t^ 
make or invent every thing that could be wanted in a 
vessel of any kind whatsoever, from a fishing-boat to 
a ship of the line ; and, if he were in the service of 
the country, slie would reap the advantage and the 
glory. 

My second voyage was made to Rome, in a vessel 
of my father^s. Rome, once the capital of the world, 
now the capital of a sect ! The Rome which I had 
painted in my imagination, no longer existed. The 
future Rome, rising to regenerate the nation, has now 
long been a dominant idea in my mind, and inspired 
me with hope and energy. Thoughts, springing from 
the past, in short, have had a prevailing influence on 
me during my life. Rome, which I had before ad- 
mired and thought of frequently, I ever since have 
loved. It has been dear to me beyond all things. I 
not only admired her for her former power and the 
remains of antiquity, but even the smallest thing con- 
nected with her was precious to me. Even in exile, 



A SHIPWRECK. 19 



these feelings were constantly cherished in my heart ; 
and often, very often, have I prayed to the Almighty 
to permit me to see that city once more. I regarded 
Rome as the centre of Italy, for the union of which I. 
ardently longed. 

I made several voyages with my father, and after- 
wards one with Captain Guiseppe Gervino, to Caglieri, • 
in a brig named the Emma, during which, on the 
return passage, I witnessed a melancholy shipwreck, 
at a distance, in such a storm that it was impossible to 
render any assistance. In that instance I witnessed, 
for the first time, that tender sympathy which sailors 
generally feel for others in distress. We saw 
Spaniards, in a Catalan felucca, struggling with the 
waves, who soon sank before our eyes, while my 
honest and warm-hearted shipmates shed tears over 
their hard fate. This disaster was caused by a sudden 
change of wind when the sea and wind were high. 
A Libaccio, a south-west wind, had been blowing 
furiously for several days, and a number of vessels 
were in sight, of all which the felucca seemed to make 
the best way. We were all steering for Vado, to 
make that port for shelter, until the storm should sub- 
side. A horrible surge unexpectedly broke over the 
Spanish vessel, and overset it in an instant. We saw 
the crew clinging to the side, and heard their cries to 
us for assistance, while we could perceive their signals, 
but could not launch a boat. They all soon disap- 
peared in the foam of a second surge, more terrible 



20 L^FE OP GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

than tlie first. AVe afterwards heard that the nine 
persons thus lost all belonged to one family. 

From Vado I went to Genoa, and thence to Nice, 
whence I commenced a series of voyages to the 
Levant^ in vessels belonging to the house of Givaii. 
In one of these, in the brig Centesi, Captain Carlo 
Seneria, I was left sick in Constantinople. The vessel 
sailed ; and, as my sickness continued, I found myself 
in somewhat straitened circumstances. In cases of 
difficulty or danger, I have never, in all my life, been 
disheartened. I then had the fortune to meet with 
persons kindly disposed to assist me, and, among 
others, I can never forget Signora Luigia Saiyuraiga, 
of Nice, whom I have ever since regarded as one 
of the most accomplished of women, in the virtues 
which distinguish the best and most admirable of her 
sex. 

As mother and wife, she formed the happiness 
of her husband, who was an excellent man, and of 
their young and interesting children, whose education 
she conducted with the greatest care and skill. What 
contributed to prolong my abode in the capital of 
Turkey, was the war which at that time commenced 
between that power and Russia ; and I then, for the 
first time, engaged as a teacher of children. That 
employment was offered me by Signer Diego, a doctor 
in medicine, who introduced me to the widow 
Temoin, who wanted an instructor for her family. 
I took up my residence in the house, and was 



UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH. 21 

placed in charge of her three sons, with a sufficient 
salary. 

I afterwards resumed the nautical life, embarking 
in the brig Nostra Signora della Grazia, Captain 
Casabana ; and that vessel was the first I ever com- 
manded, being made Captain of it on a subsequent 
voyage to Mahon and Gibraltar, returning to Con- 
stantinople. 

Being an ardent lover of Italy from my childhood, 
I felt a strong desire to become initiated in the 
mysteries of her restoration ; and I sought every- 
where for books and writings which might enlighten 
me on the subject, and for persons animated with 
feelings corresponding with my own. On a voyage 
which I made to Tagangog, in Eussia, with a young 
Ligurian, I was first made acquainted with a few 
things connected with the intentions and plans of the 
Italian patriots ; and surely Columbus did not enjoy 
so much satisfaction on the discovery of America, as 
I experienced on hearing that the redemption of our 
country was meditated. From that time I became 
entirely devoted to that object, which has since 
been appropriately my own element for so long a 
time. 

The speedy consequence of my entire devotion to 
the cause of Italy was, that on the fifth of February, 
1834, I was passing out of the gate of Linterna, of 
Genoa, at seven o'clock in the evening, in the disguise 
of a peasant — a fvoscript. At that time my public life 



22 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

commenced ; and, a few days after, I saw my name, 
for the first time, in a newspaper : but it was in a 
sentence of death ! 

I remained in Marseilles, unoccupied, for several 
months ; but at length embarked, as mate, in a vessel 
commanded by Captain Francesco Gazan. While 
standing on board, towards evening, one day, dressed 
in my best suit, and just ready to go on shore, I heard 
a noise in the water, and, looking below, discovered 
that some person had fallen into the sea^ and was then 
under the stern of the vessel. Springing into the water, 
I had the satisfaction to save from drowning a French 
boy, in the presence of a lai-ge collection of people, 
who expressed their joy aloud, and warmly applauded 
the act. His name was Joseph Rasbaud, and he 
was fourteen years of age. His friends soon made 
their appearance ; and I experienced very pecu- 
liar feelings excited in my heart, when the tears 
of his mother dropped, one after another, upon 
my cheek, while I heard the thanks of the whole 
family. 

Some years before I had a similar good fortune, 
when I saved the life of my friend, Claudio Terese. 



CHAPTER III. 

VOYAGE TO BRAZIL — FIRST MEETING "WITH ROSETTI — WE ENGAGE IN 
TRADE— ZAMBECCARl'S ARRIVAL — THE UNITED PROVINCES— ENGAGE 
IN THE SERVICE OF RIO GRANDE — SAIL— MY FIRST PRIZE— CONDUCT 
OF MY MEN— MY RULE FOR TREATING PRISONERS— RECEPTION AT 
MALDONADO — SUDDEN DEPARTURE. 

I MADE another voyage to the Black Sea, in the 
brig Unione, and afterwards one to Tunis, in a frigate, 
built at Merseilles for the Bey. From the latter port 
I next sailed for Rio Janeiro, in the Nautpnier, a 
Nantes brig, Captain Beauregard. 

While walking one day in a public place in Rio, I 
met a man whose appearance struck me in a very un- 
common and very agreeable manner. He fixed his 
eyes on me at the same moment, smiled, stopped, and 
spoke. Although we found that we had never met 
before, our acquaintance immediately commenced, and 
we became unreserved and cordial friends for life. 
He was Rosetti, the most generous among the warm 
lovers of our poor country ! 

I spent several months in Rio, unoccupied and 
ease, and then engaged in commerce, in company with 
Rosetti : but a short experience convinced us that 
neither of us was born for a merchant. 

(23) 



24 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

About this time Zambeccari arrived at Rio, having 
been sent as a prisoner from Rio Grande, when I 
became acquainted with the sentiments and situation 
of the people of that province. Arrangements were 
soon made for Rosetti and myself to proceed on an 
expedition for their aid, they having declared their 
independence. Having obtained the necessary papers, 
we engaged a small vessel for a crusier, which I named 
" The Mazziniy I soon after embarked in a garopera, 
with twenty companions, to aid a people in the south 
oppressed by a proud and powerful enemy. The 
garope is a kind of Brazilian fish, of an exquisite 
flavor ; and boats employed in taking it are called 
garoperas. My feelings, at that epoch of my life, 
were very peculiar. I was enlisted in a new and 
hazardous enterprize, and, for the first time, turned a 
helm for the ocean with a warlike fiag flying over my 
head — the flag of a republic—the Republic of Rio 
Grande. I was at the head of a resolute band, but it 
was a mere handful, and my enemy was the empire 
of Brazil. 

We sailed until we reached the latitude of Grand 
Island, ojff which we met a sumaca, or large coasting 
boat, named the Luisa, loaded with coJffee. We 
captured her without opposition, and then resolved to 
take her instead of my own vessel, having no pilot for 
the high sea, and thinking it necessary to proceed 
along tlie coast. I therefore transferred everything 
from the Mazzini on board the sumaca, and then sunk 



MANNER OF TREATING PRISONERS. 25 

the former. But I kSOOh found that my crew were not 
all men like Rosetti, of noble and disinterested char- 
acter and the purest morals ; and, indeed, I had before 
felt some apprehensions, when I saw among them 
several physiognomies by no means prepossessing. . I 
now found them, when on board the sumaca, affecting 
ferocity, to intimidate the poor Brazilian sailors, 
whom we had made prisoners. I took immediate 
steps to repress all such conduct, and to tranquilize 
the fears which they had excited, assuring the crew 
that they should be uninjured and kindly treated, and 
set on shore at the first convenient landing-place, with 
all their own personal property. A Brazilian, a pas- 
senger in the sumaca, took the first opportunity, after 
coming on board, to offer me a casket containing 
three valuable diamonds, in a supplicating manner, as 
if afraid for his life ; but I refused to receive it, and 
gave peremptory orders that none of the effects of the 
crew or passengers should be taken from them, under 
any pretext whatever. And this course I pursued on 
all subsequent occasions, whenever I took any prizes 
from the enemy; and my orders were always strictly 
obeyed. 

The passengers and crew were landed north of 
Itaparica, the launches of the Luisa being given to 
them, with all their movables, and as much brandy as 
they chose to take with them. I then went to the south, 
and soon arrived in the port of Maldonado, where 
the favorable reception given us by the authorities 
2 



26 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

_i 

and the people, afforded us a very flattering pros- 
pect. 

Rosetti set off for Montevideo, to arrange things con- 
nected with the expedition, leaving us to await his 
return ; and during eight days we enjoyed one un- 
interrupted festival among the hospitable inhabitants. 
The close of that period of gayety would have been 
tragical, if the political chief of the town had been less 
friendly than he proved himself to be. I received 
unexpected notice, quite different from what I had 
been led to expect, that the flag of Rio Grande was 
not recognized, and that an order had arrived for our 
immediate arrest. Thus compelled to depart, although 
the weather was threatening, I hoisted sail without 
delay, and steered up the river Plata, with scarcely 
any plan or object, and almost without opportunity 
to communicate to any one that I should await, at the 
Point of Jesus Maria, news of the result of Rosetti's 
deliberations with his friends in Montevideo. After a 
wearisome navigation, I reached that place, having 
narrowly escaped shipwreck on the Point of Piedras 
Negras, in consequence of a variation of the compass 
caused by the muskets placed near it. 

I found no news at that place ; and our provisions 
were entirely consumed. .We had no boat to lane' 
with : but it was indispensable to procure food for the 
men. At length, after some deliberation, having dis- 
covered a house about four miles distant from the shore, 
I determined to get to the land, by some means or 



FIRST SIGHT OF THE PAMPAS. 27 

other, and, at any cost, to procure provisions and bring 
them on board. The shore being very difficult of ap- 
proach, because the wind was blowing from the pam- 
pas, the vast plains which extend fa^r and wide, it was 
necessary to throw out two anchors to draw up a little 
nearer. I then embarked on the dining table, accom- 
panied by one of my sailors, named Maurizio Garibaldi, 
and moved on towards the land, not navigating, but 
rolling through the breakers of that dangerous shore. 
In spite of the difficulty attending the enterprise we 
reached the river's bank in safety, and drew up our 
strange craft on the sand. Then, leaving my com- 
panion and namesake to refit, I set off for the house 
which I had seen from the vessel. 

Walking up the bank I reached the level of the 
pampas, and then, for the first time in my life, caught 
a view of one of those vast South American plains. 
I was struck with admiration : — such a boundless scene 
of fertility, where wild horses and cattle were running 
free and unrestrained, feeding, resting, and racing at 
full speed, at will. My mind was filled with new, sub- 
lime and delightful emotions, as I passed on towards 
the solitary habitation to which I was bound. When 
I reached it I found a welcome, and easily obtained a 
promise of an abundant supply of food for my crew. 
The daughter of the proprietor of that vast estate was 
an educated, refined and agreeable young lady, and 
even a poetess ; and I spent the remainder of the day 



28 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

very pleasantly, in company with her and the rest of 
the family. 

The next day I returned to the shore, with the quar- 
ters of a fat bullock which had been killed for me out 
of the immense herd of cattle, at the order of the pro- 
prietor. Maurizio and I fastened the meat to the legs 
of the table, which were in the air, the table itself 
being placed upside down on the water, and then we 
launched out into the river to make our way to the 
vessel. But the weight of the cargo and crew proved 
entirely too great, and we immediately began to sink 
until we stood in the water ; and on reaching the 
breakers, the agitation caused so much rocking that it 
was almost impossible to proceed, or even to keep our 
footing. Indeed, we were in actual danger of drown- 
ing. But, after great exertions, we reached the Luisa 
with our load of provisions, and were hailed by the 
shouts of our companions, whose only hope for sub- 
sistence depended on our success. 

The next day, while passing a small vessel called a 
Balandra, we thought of purchasing her launch, which 
we saw on her deck. We therefore made sail, boarded 
her, and made the purchase for thirty dollars. That 
day also we spent in sight of Jesus Maria. 
13^ 



CHAPTER lY. 

TWO BRAZILIAN VESSELS — MY FIRST BATTLE — MY FIRST WOUITD — RE- 
SULTS — MY OWN CONDITION— BURIAL OF MY FRIEND FIORENTINO. 

The day after, while lying a little south of Jesus 
Maria, two launches came in sight and approached us 
in a friendly manner, with nothing in their appearance 
to excite suspicion. I made a signal agreed on with 
friends, but it was not answered ; and then I hoisted 
sail, had the arms taken from the chests, and prepared 
to meet them as enemies. The launches held on 
towards us : the larger showed only three men on deck : 
but, when she came nearer, called on us to surrender, in 
the name of the Oriental Government. The next 
instant thirty men suddenly rose, as if by a miracle, 
and she ran up on our larboard side. I immediately 
gave command to *' brace the yards," and then to " fire." 
An active engagement then commenced. The launch 
being then alongside of us, several of the enemy 
attempted to board us, but were driven back by a few 
shots and sabre-cuts. All this passed in a few mo- 
ments. But my order to brace the yards was not 
obeyed, for my men were new and in confusion, and 
the few who began to haul at the weather braces found 
they had not been let go to leeward, and were unable 

(29) 



30 LIFE OP GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

to more them. Fiorentino, one of the best of the 
crew, who was at the helm, sprang forward to cast them 
off, when a musket ball struck him in the head and laid 
him dead on deck. The helm was now abandoned ; 
and, as I was standing near, firing at the enemy, I 
seized the tiller, but the next moment received a bullet 
in my neck, which threw me down senseless, and I 
knew nothing more until the action was over. When 
I came to myself I found that an hour had elapsed, a 
hard fight had been maintained against a superior 
force, and a victory won, chiefly by the bravery of the 
Italians, the mate, Luigi Carniglia, the second mate, 
Pasquale Lodola, and the sailors Giovanni Lamberti 
and Maurizio Garibaldi. Two Maltese and all the 
Italians, except a Venitian, fought bravely. The 
others, with two negroes, sheltered themselves under 
the ballast of the vessel. 

I found that the enemy had hauled off out of gun- 
shot. I ordered that our vessel should proceed up the 
river, in search of a place of retreat. When I first 
began to recover consciousness, I lay helpless, appar- 
ently d^ad, but felt as if unable to die. I was the 
only man on board who had any knowledge of navi- 
gation ; and, as none of the others had a single idea of 
geography, or knew where to go, they at length 
brought me the chart. None of us had been in the 
waters of the Plata before, except Maurizio, who had 
sailed on tlie Uruguay. When I turned my dying 
eyes on the chart, I was unable to see distinctly, but 



TRIBUTE TO MY FRIEND MAURIZIO. 31 

made out to perceive that one place on the river was 
printed in large letters, and at length discovered that 
it was Santa Fe, on the Parana, and thought we might 
there make a temporary harbor. So, pointing at it 
with my finger, and signifying as well as I could the 
direction and distance, I left the helmsman to him- 
self. 

\11 the sailors, except the Italians, were frightened 
ov seeing my situation, and the corpse of Fiorentino, 
and oy the apprehension of being treated as pirates 
wherever they might go. Every countenance wore an 
expression of terror ; and at the earliest opportunity 
they deserted. In every bird they observed on the 
water they imagined they saw an enemy's launch, sent 
to pursue them. The body of the unfortunate Fioren- 
tino was buried the next day in the river, with the 
ceremonies usually practised by sailors, as we were 
unable to anchor anywhere near the land. I was per- 
haps affected the more by the sad scene, because I was 
in so feeble a condition. I had never thought much 
about death, although I knew I was liable to it every 
moment ; but I mourned deeply at the funeral of my 
lost friend, who was very dear indeed to me. 
Among the numerous poetical lines which occurred to 
my mind, was that beautiful verse of Ugo Foscolo : 

Un sasso die distingue le mie 

Dall' infinite osse, die in terra 

E in mar, semina Morte." 

[Let a stone distinguish mine from the inmimerablo bones which 

Death sows on land and in tli© sea.] 



32 LIFE OF GEXERAL GARIBALDI. 

My friend had promised me never to bury me in the 
water : but who can tell whether he w^ould have been 
able to keep his promise ? I could never have felt 
sure that my corpse would not feed the sea-wolves and 
acaves of the great river Plata. If it were so, then I 
should never have seen Italy again ; never fought for 
her — which was the great wish of my life : but then, 
too, I never should have seen her sink into ignominy. 
Who would have said to the amiable man that, within 
a year, Garibaldi would see him swallowed up in the 
surges of the ocean, and that he would search for his 
corpse, to bury it on a foreign shore, and to mark the 
spot with a stone, for the eyes of strangers ? He 
deserved my kind regard ; for he attended me, with the 
care of a mother, during the whole voyage from Maya- 
guay. During all my sufferings, which were very 
severe, I had no relief but what he afforded me, by his 
constant care and kind services. I wish to express 
my gratitude to God for sending me such a friend. 



CHAPTER V. 

ARRIVAL AT GUALAaUAY — RECEPTION— MY WOUND HEALED— MY SUD- 
DEN DEPARTURE AND RETURN— CRUEL TREATMENT — SENORA AIJBMAN 
— TRIBUTE TO THAT NOBLE LADY — GO TO BAJADA. 

Our vessel arrived at Gualaguay, where we were very 
cordially received and kindly treated by Captain 
Luca Tartabal, of the schooner Pintoresca, and his 
passengers, inhabitants of that town. That vessel had 
met ours in the neighborhood of Hiem, and, on being 
asked for provisions by Luigi, they had offered to 
keep company with us to their destination. They 
warmly recommended us to the governor of the prov- 
ince, Don Pasquale Echague, who was pleased, when 
going away, to leave his own surgeon with me, Dr. 
Ramon del Oreo, a young Argentine. He soon ex- 
tracted the ball from my neck and cured me. I resid- 
ed in the house of Don Jacinto Andreas during the 
six months which I spent in that place, and was under 
great obligations to him for his kindness and courtesy, 
as well as for those which I received from his family. 
But I was not free. With all the friendliness of 
Echague, and the sympathy shown me by the inhabi- 
tants of the town, I was not permitted to leave it with- 
out the permission of Rosas, the traitor of Buenos 

(33) 



34 LIFE OF GENERAL GAPJBALDI. 

Ayres, who never acted for a good reason. My wound 
being healed, I was allowed to take rides on horse- 
back, even to a distance of twelve miles, and was 
supplied with a dollar a day for my subsistence, which 
was a large sum for that country, where there is but 
little opportunity to spend money. But all this was 
not liberty. I was then given to understand by certain 
persons (whether friends or enemies), that it had been 
ascertained that the government would not wish to 
prevent my escape if I should attempt it. I therefore 
determined to gain my freedom, believing that it 
would be easier than it proved, and that the attempt 
would not be regarded as a serious offence. 

The commandant of Gualaguay was named Millau. 
He had not treated me ill, but it was very doubtful 
what his feelings towards me really were, as he had 
never expressed any interest in me. 

Having after a time formed my plan, I began to make 
preparations. One evening, while the weather was tem- 
pestuous, I left home and went in the direction of a 
good old man, whom I was accustomed to visit at his 
residence, three miles from Gualaguay. On arriving, I 
got him to describe with precision the way which I in- 
tended to take, and engaged him to find me a guide, 
with liorses, to conduct me to Hueng, where I hoped 
to find vessels in which I might go, incognito^ to Buenos 
Ayres and Montevideo. Horses and a guide were 
procured. I had fifty-four miles to travel, and tliat 
distance I devoured in less than half a niglit, going al- 



ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE. 35 

most the whole way on the gallop. When day broke, 
we were at an estancia, within about half a mile of the 
town. My guide then told me to wait in the bushes 
where we were, while he went to inquire the news at 
the house. I complied, and he left me. I dismounted 
and tied my horse to a tree with the bridle, and waited 
a long timo. At length, not seeing him return, I 
walked to the edge of the bushes, and looked about 
in search of him, when I heard behind me a trampling 
of horses ; and, on turning round, discovered a band 
of horsemen, who were rushing upon me with their sa- 
bres drawn. They were already between me and my 
horse, and any attempt to escape would have been 
fruitless — still more any effort at resistance, I was 
immediately seized and bound, with my hands behind 
me, and then placed upon a miserable horse, and had my 
feet tied under him. In that condition I was taken back 
to Gualaguay, where still worse treatment awaited me. 

Such were the impressions made upon my feelings 
by the barbarous usage which I received at that time, 
that I have never since been able to recall the circum- 
stances without a peculiar agitation of mind ; and I 
regard that period as the most painful of my life. 

When brought into the presence of Millau, who was 
waiting for me at the door of the prison, he asked me 
who had furnished me with the means of escape. 
When he found that he could draw no information 
from me on that subject, he began to beat me most 
brutally with a club which he had in his hand. He 



36 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

tlieii put a rope over a beam in the prisoiij and hung 
me up in the air by my hands, bound together as they 
were. For two hours the wretch kept me suspended 
in that manner. My whole body was thrown into a 
high, feverish heat. I felt as if burning in a furnace. 
I frequently swallowed water, which was allowed me, 
but without being able to quench my raging thirst. The 
sufferings which I endured after being unbound were 
indescribable : yet I did not complain. I lay like 
a dead man ; and it is easy to believe that I must 
have suffered extremely. I had first travelled fifty- 
four miles through a marshy country, where the insects 
are insufferable at that season of the year, and then I 
had returned the same distance, with my hands and 
feet bound, and entirely exposed to the terrible stings 
of the zingara, or mosquito, which assailed me with 
vigor ; and, after all this, I had to undergo the tor- 
tures of Millau, who had the heart of an assassin. 

Andreas, the man who had assisted me, was put into 
prison ; and all the inhabitants were terrified, so that, 
had it not been for the generous spirit of a lady, I 
probably should have lost my life. That lady was 
Senora Aleman, to whom I love to express my grati- 
tude. She is worthy of the warmest terms of admira- 
tion, and deserves the title of " angelo generoso di 
bonta ^' (generous angel of goodness). Spurning every 
suggestion of fear, she came forward to the assistance 
of the tortured prisoner ; and from that time I wanted 
nothing — thanks to my benefactress ! 



EMBARKED FOR MONTEVIDEO. 37 

A few days after, I was removed to Bajada, the cap- 
ital of the province, and I remained a prisoner in that 
city for two months. I was then informed, by Gov- 
ernor Echague, that I should be allowed to leave the 
province. Although I professed different principles 
from his, and had fought for a different cause, I have 
ever been ready to acknowledge my obligations to 
that officer, and always desired an opportunity to 
prove my gratitude to him for granting me everything 
that was in his power to give, and, most of all, my 
liberty. 

I took passage in a Genoese brig, commanded by 
Captain Ventura, a man of such a character that he 
had risen superior to the principles inculcated in Ital- 
ian youth by their priestly instructors. From him I 
received the most gentlemanly treatment on my pas- 
sage to Guassu. There I embarked for Montevideo in 
a balandra, commanded by Pascuale Corbona, who 
likewise treated me with great kindness. Good for- 
tune and misfortune thus often succeeded each other. 



CHAPTER VI. 

AT MOXTEVIDEO — IXCOGXITO — DEPARTURE FOR RIO GRANDE — MARCH 
WITH THE ARMY OF THE PRESIDENT, BEXTO GONZALEZ — HIS CHAR- 
ACTER, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS —AGREE ABLE SOCIETY. 

In Montevideo I found a collection of my friends, 
among whom the chief were Rosetti, Cuneo, and Cas- 
tellani. The first was on his return from a journey to 
Rio Grande, where he had been received with the 
greatest favor by the proud Republicans inhabiting 
that region. In Montevideo I found myself still under 
proscription, on account of my affair with the launches 
of that state, and was obliged to remain in conceal- 
ment in the house of my friend Pepante, where I spent 
a month. My retirement was relieved and enlight- 
ened by the company of many Italian acquaintances, 
who, at that time, when Montevideo was not suffering 
from the calamities it has too often known, and, as is 
always the case in time of peace, were distinguished by 
a refinement and hospitality worthy of all praise. The 
war, and chiefly the late siege, have since embittered 
the lives of those good-hearted men, and produced 
great changes in their condition. 

After the expiration of a month, I set off for Rio 
Grande with Rosetti, on horseback ; and that first 

(38) 



DEPARTURE FOR RIO GRANDE. 39 

long journey I ever made in that manner I highly en- 
joyed. On reaching Piratimin, we were cordially re- 
ceived by the Governor of the Republic ; and the Min- 
ister of War, Almeida, treated us with great honor. 
The President, Bento Gonzalez, had marched at the 
head of a brigade to fight Silva Tavares, an imperial 
chief, who was infesting that part of the province. 
Piratimin, then the seat of the Eepublican govern- 
ment, is a small village, but a peaceful place, in a ru- 
ral situation, and the chief town of the department of 
that name. It is surrounded by a warlike people, 
much devoted to the republic. 

Being unoccupied in Piratimin, I requested permis- 
sion to join the column of operations under S. Gonza- 
lez, near the President, and it was granted. I was 
introduced to Bento Gonzalez, and well received ; 
spent some time in his company, and thought him a 
man highly favored by nature with some desirable 
gifts. But fortune has been almost always favorable 
to the Brazilian Empire. 

Bento Gonzalez was a specimen of a magnanimous 
soldier, though he was at that time nearly sixty years of 
age. Being tall and active, he rode a fiery horse with 
all the ease and dexterity of his young countrymen. 

In Camarino, where we had our arsenal, and whence 
the Republican flotilla went out, resided the families 
of Bento Gonzalez ; and his brotliers and numerous 
relations inhabited most of the extensive tracts of 
country lying along both sides of the river. And on 



40 LIFE OP GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

these beautiful pastures were fed immense herds of 
cattle, which had been left undisturbed by the war, 
because they were out of the reach of the troops. The 
products of agriculture were very abundant ; and surely 
nowhere, in any country on earth, is found more kind 
and cordial hospitality than among the inhabitants of 
that part of the Province of Rio Grande. In their 
houses, in which the beneficent character of the patri- 
archal system is everywhere perceived in every family, 
and where the greatest sympathy prevails, in conse- 
quence of a general uniformity of opinions, I and my 
band were received with the warmest welcome. The 
estancias, to which we chiefly resorted, on account of 
their proximity to the Lagoon, as well as for the con- 
veniences which it offered us, and the kind reception 
which always awaited us, were those of Donna Antonia 
and Donna Anna, sisters of Bento Gonzalez. The for- 
mer was situated on the Camones, and the latter on the 
Arroyo Grande. 

Whether I was under the influence of my imagina- 
tion, which at that early age may have been peculiarly 
sensitive, and inclined me, with my little knowledge of 
the world, to receive strong impressions from every 
thing agreeable, or whatever else may have affected 
me, there is no part of my life on which I look back 
with greater pleasure, as a period of enjoyment, than 
that which I spent in that most agreeable society of 
sincere friends. In the house of Donna Anna, especi- 
ally, I took peculiar interest. That lady was advanced 



DONNA ANNA, 41 



in years, but possessed a most amiable disposition, and 
was a very attractive acquaintance. She had with her 
a family which had migrated from Pilotos, the head of 
which was Don Paolo Ferreira. Three young ladies, 
all of them agreeable, formed the ornaments of that 
happy home. One of these, named Manuela, I most 
highly admired, regarding her with that pleasure 
which is natural to a young man, who goes into the 
world with such a pure and exalted estimate of female 
excellence as I had imbibed from my mother, and 
who, after enduring great reverses, meets the sympathy 
of such a person in a remote land of exile. Signora 
Manuela, as I well knew, was betrothed to a son of 
the President. In a scene of danger that young lover 
displayed his attachment to her, in a manner which 
convinced me of the sincerity of the love which he 
professed ; and I witnessed it with as much satisfaction 
as if I had been her brother. I thenceforth regarded 
the President's son as worthy of Manuela, and rejoiced 
in the conviction that her happiness was in no danger, 
in being entrusted to such faithful hands. The people 
of that district are distinguished for beauty ; and 
even the slaves seem to partake of the same charac- 
teristic. 

It may be supposed that an occasional contrary 
wind, a storm, or an expedition, whatever else it might 
produce, if it threw our vessel on that friendly shore 
long enough to allow opportunity to visit their friendly 
inhabitants, was not altogether disagreeable. Such an 



42 LIFE OP GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

occasion was always a festival. The Grove of Teviva, 
(a kind of palm growing on the Arroyo Grande,) 
which was the landmark for the entrance of the stream, 
was always discovered with lively pleasure, and saluted 
with redoubled enthusiasm and the loudest acclama- 
tions. When the gentle hosts, to whose kindness we 
felt so much indebted, wished to go to Camacuan to 
visit Don Antonio and his amiable family, I seized the 
opportunity with great pleasure, as it afforded me a 
way to make some return for the many kindnesses 
they had shown us, while it gave new occasions for 
the display of their amiable character and refined and 
pleasing manners, amidst the varying scenes of the 
little voyage. 

Between Arroyo Grande and Camacuan are several 
sand-banks, called Tuntal, which extend from the west 
shore of the Lagoon, almost at right angles and nearly 
across, touching tlie opposite side, except only the nar- 
row space occupied by the boat channel, called Dos 
Barcos. To go round these bars would greatly pro- 
long the time necessary for the voyage : but that might 
be avoided, with some trouble. By throwing them- 
selves into the water and pushing the launches along 
by main force, with their shoulders, the men could get 
them over the bars, and then keep along the western 
side of the Lagoon. This expedient was almost 
always adopted by us, and especially on the occasions 
referred to, when the boats were honored with the 
presence of our welcome guests — that precious freight ! 



SHOALS IN THE LAGOON. 43 

Whatever might be the wind, I vfas usually sure of 
getting the launches over the bars ; and, so accustomed 
were my men to the task, and so prompt in the per- 
formance of that laborious service, that the order to 
take to the water [^^Al aqua, Tatos ! '^] was scarcely pro- 
nounced before they were overboard and at their posts. 
And so, on all occasions, the task was performed with 
alacrity and success, as if the crews had been engaged 
in some favorite amusement on a day of jubilee, what- 
ever might be the hour or the weather. But when 
pursued by the enemy in superior force, and suifering 
in a storm, we were obliged to pass that way, some- 
times in the water a whole night, and without protec- 
tion from the waves, which would break over us, while 
the temperature of the Lagoon was cooled by the rain, 
and we were far from land, the exposure, the labor and 
the sufferings were sometimes very great, and all the 
fervor of youth was necessary to enable us to endure 
them. 



CHAPTER VII. 

AT THE GALPON" OF CHARGINADA, REPAIRIXa THE LAUNCHES— ilT 
FRIEND, JOHN" GRIGGS — A SURPRISE — A BATTLE —RESULTS — TRIBUTE 
TO A PAIR FRIEND. 

After the capture of the Sumaca, the imperial 
merchant vessels no longer set sail without a convoy, 
but were always accompanied by vessels of war ; and 
it became a difficult thing to capture them. The expe- 
ditions of the launches were, therefore, limited to a 
few cruises in the Lagoon, and with little success, as 
we were watched by the Imperialists, both by land 
and by water. In a surprise made by the chief, Fran- 
cisco de Abrea, the whole of my band was near being 
cut off with its leader. 

We were at the mouth of the Camacua, with the 
launches drawn up on land, opposite the Galpon of 
Charginada, — that is, the magazine or depot of the 
estancia, or large estate of that name. We were 
engaged in salting meat and collecting Yerba Matte, a 
species of tea, which grows in those parts of South 
America, and is used as their daily beverage by the 
inhabitants. The estate belonged to Donna Antonia, 
sister of the President. In consequence of the war, 

(44) 



REPAIRING THE LAUNCHES. 45 

meat was not then salted there ; and the Galpon was 
occupied only with Yerba Matte. We used the spacious 
establishment as our arsenal, and had drawn up our 
launches some distance from the water, between the 
magazine and the bank of the river, in order to repair 
them. At that spot were the shops of the smiths and 
laborers of the establishment, and there was a plenti- 
ful supply of charcoal ; for although not then in use, 
the place retained something of its former condition 
and appearance. There were not wanting pieces of 
iron and steel, fit for different purposes in our little 
vessels. We could easily visit the distant estancias 
by a galloping ride, where we were most cheerfully 
supplied with whatever we found deficient in the arse- 
nal. 

With courage, cheerfulness, and perseverance, no 
enterprise is impossible ; and, for these I must do 
justice to my favorite companion and usual forerunner, 
John Griggs, who surmounted numerous difiiculties, 
and patiently endured many disappointments, in the 
work of building two new launches. 

He was a young man of excellent disposition, un- 
questionable courage, and inexhaustible perseverance. 
Though he belonged to a rich family, he had devoted 
himself disinterestedly to the young Republic ; and, 
when letters from his friends in North America invited 
him to return home, and offered him a very large 
capital, he refused, and remained until lie sacrificed 
his life for an unhappy, but brave and generous, people. 



46 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

I had afterwards to contemplate the sad and impres- 
sive spectacle, presented by his death, when the body 
of my friend was suddenly cut down by my side. 

While the launches were lying drawn up, as before 
mentioned, and the repairs were busily going on, some 
of the sailors were engaged with the sails, and some at 
other occupations, near them, while several were em- 
ployed in making charcoal, or keeping watch as senti- 
nels, every one being busy about something, — by some 
unexpected chance, Francisco de Albera, commonly 
called Moringue, determined to surprise us ; and, 
although he did not succeed in his design, he gave us 
not a little trouble. A surprise certainly was effected 
on that occasion, and in a masterly manuer. 

We had been on patrols all night, and all the men 
had been, a short time before, assembled in the Galpon, 
where the arms were loaded and deposited. It was a 
beautiful morning, though cloudy ; and nothing seemed 
to be stirring, but all around was silent and apparently 
lonely. Observations, however, were made around the 
camp, with the greatest care, without discovering a 
trace of anything new. About nine o'clock, most o'f 
the people were set at work, in cutting wood ; and for 
this purpose were scattered about at considerable dis- 
tances. I had then about fifty men for the two 
launches ; and it happened that day, by a singular 
concurrence of circumstances, our wants being peculiar, 
that only a very few remained near the boats. I was 
sitting by the fire, where breakfast was cooking, and 



A SURPRISE. 47 



was just then taking some Matte. Near by was the 
cook, and no other person. 

All on a sudden, and as if just over my head, I 
heard a tremendous volley of firearms, accompanied 
by a yell, and saw a company of the enemy's horsemen 
marching on. I had hardly time to rise and take my 
stand at the door of the Galpon, for at that instant 
one of the enemy's lances made a hole through my 
poncho. It was our good fortune to have our arms 
aP loaded, as I have before mentioned, and placed in 
the Galpon, in consequence of our having been in a 
state of alarm all night. They were placed inside of 
the building, against the wall, ready and convenient 
for use. I immediately began to seize the muskets 
and discharge them in turn, and shot down many of 
the enemy. Ignacio Bilbao, a brave Biscayan, and 
Lorenzo N"., a courageous Genoese, were at my side in 
a moment ; and then Eduardo Mutru, a native of the 
country, Rafaele and Procopio, one a mulatto and the 
other a black, and Francisco. I wish I could re- 
member the names of all my bold companions, who, to 
the number of thirteen, assembled around me, and 
fought a hundred and fifty enemies, from nine in the 
morning until three in the afternoon, killing and 
wounding many of them, and finally forcing them to 
retreat. 

Among our assailants were eighty Germans, in the 
infantry, who were accustomed to accompany Marin- 
gue in such expeditions, and were skilful soldiers, 



48 LIFE OF GKXERAL GAPJBALDI. 

both on foot and on horseback. When they had 
reached the spot, they had dismounted and surrounded 
the house, taking advantage of the ground, and of 
some rough places, from which they poured upon us 
a terrible fire from different sides. But, as often 
happens in surprises, by not completing their opera- 
tions and closing, men ordinarily act as they please. 
If, instead of taking positions, the enemy had ad- 
vanced upon the Galpon, and attacked us resolutely, 
Tve should have been entirely lost, without the power 
to resist their first attack. And we were more exposed 
than we might ordinarily have been in any other 
building, because, to allow the frequent passage of 
carts, the sides of the magazine were left open» 

In vain did they attempt to press us more closely, 
and assemble against the end walls. In vain did they 
get upon the roofs, break them up and throw upon 
our heads the fragments and burning thatch. They 
were driven away by our muskets and lances. 
Through loop-holes, which I made through the walls, 
many were killed and many wounded. Then, pretend- 
ing to be a numerous body in the building, we sang 
the republican hymn of Rio Grande, raising our voices 
as loud as possible, and appeared at the doors, 
flourishing our lances, and by every device endeavor- 
ing to make our numbers appear multiplied. 

About three o'clock in the afternoon the enemy 
retired, having many wounded, among whom was 
their chief. Tliey left six dead near the Galpon, and 



RESULT OP THE SURPRISE. 49 

several others at some distance. We had eight 
wounded, out of fourteen. Rosetti, and our other 
comrades, who were separated from us, had not been 
able to join us. Some of them were obliged to cross 
the river by swimming ; others ran into the forest ; 
and one only, found by the enemy, was killed. That 
battle, with so many dangers, and with so brilliant a 
result, gave much confidence to our troops, and to the 
inhabitants of that coast, who had been for a long 
time exposed to the inroads of that adroit and enter- 
prising enemy, Maringue. 

We celebrated the victory, rejoicing at our deliver- 
ance from a tempest of no small severity. At an 
estancia, twelve miles distant, when the news of the 
engagement was received, a young lady inquired, with 
a pallid cheek and evident anxiety, whether Garibaldi 
was alive. When I was informed of this, I rejoiced 
at it more than at the victory itself. Yes ! Beautiful 
daughter of America ! (for she was a native of the 
Province of Rio Grande,) I was proud and happy to 
enjoy your friendship, though the destined bride of 
another. Fate reserved for me another Brazilian 
female — to me the only one in the world whom I now 
lament, and for whom I shall weep all my days. She 
knew me when I was in misfortune ; and her interest 
in me, stronger than any merit of my own, conquered 
her for me, and united us for ever. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

PESCRIPTION OF THE LAKE OR LAGOON DOS PATOS — THE EXEMY COM- 
MAXD THE LAKE— PLAN TO ENTER IT — TRANSPORTATION OF LAUNCHES 
OYER LAND — RESULTS OF THE EXPERIMENT — BREAKERS — SHIPWRECK 
— SAD CATASTROPHE 

The Lake or Lagoon Dos Patos is about 45 leagues in 
length, or 135 miles, and from eleven to twenty miles 
in medium -width. Near its mouth, oil the right shore, 
stands a strong place, called Southern Rio Grande, 
while Northern Rio Grande is on the opposite side. 
Both are fortified towns, and were then in posses- 
sion of the Imperialists, as well as Porto Alegre. 
The enemy were therefore masters of the lake by water. 
It was thought impossible for the Republicans to pass 
through the outlet. which leads from the lake to the 
sea, and as that was the only water passage, we were 
obliged to prepare to effect a way of communication 
by land. This could be done only by transporting the 
launches on carts over the intermediate country. In 
the northern part of the lake is a deep bay, called 
Cassibani, which takes its name from a small river 
that empties in at its further side. That bay was 
chosen as the place for landing the launches ; and the 
operation was performed on the right bank. An in- 

(50) 



TRANSPORTATION OP LAUNCHES, 51 

habitant of that part of the province, named De Abrea, 
had prepared wheels of great solidity, connected two 
and two by axles, proportioned to the weight of the 
vessels. About two hundred domestic oxen were 
then collected, with the assistance of the neighboring 
inhabitants, and, by their labor, the launches were 
drawn to the shore and got into the water, being 
carried on wheels, placed at proportionate distances 
from each other. Care, however, was taken to keep 
them in such positions that the centre of gravity 
should be preserved, by supporting the vessels lateral- 
ly, without disturbing the free action of the wheels. 
Very strong ropes were, of course, provided, to attach 
the oxen to the wheels. 

Thus the vessels of the Republican squadron started 
off, navigating across the fields. The oxen worked 
well, they being well placed and prepared for drawing 
freely in the most convenient manner. They travelled 
a distance of fifty-four miles without any difiiculty, 
presenting a curious and unprecedented spectacle in 
those regions. On the shore of Lake Tramandai the 
launches were taken from the carts and put into the 
water, and then loaded with necessaries and rigged for 
sailing. 

Lake Tramandai, which is formed by the streams 
falling from the chain of Bspenasso, empties into the 
Atlantic, but is very shallow, having only about four 
feet of water at high tide ; besides, on that coast, 
which is very open and all alluvial, the sea is never 



52 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

tranquil, even in the most favorable weather : but the 
numerous breakers incessantly stun the ear, and from 
a distance of many miles their roar sounds like peals 
of thunder. 

Being ready to sail, we awaited the hour of the tido 
and then ventured out, about four o'clock in the after- 
noon. In those circumstances, practical skill in guid- 
ing vessels among breakers was of great value, and 
without it it is hard to say how we could ever have 
succeeded in getting through them, for the propitious 
hour of the tide was passed, and the water was not 
deep enough. However, notwithstanding this, at the 
beginning of the night our exertions were crowned 
with entire success, and we cast anchor in the open 
sea, outside of the furious breakers. It should be 
known here, and borne in mind, that no vessel of any 
kind had ever before passed out from the m.outh of the 
Tramandai. At about eight in the evening we de- 
parted from that place, and at three in the afternoon 
of the following day were wrecked at the mouth of the 
Arevingua, with the loss of sixteen of the company in 
the Atlantic, and with the destruction of the launch 
Rio Pardo, which was under my command, in the 
terrible breakers of that coast. The particulars of 
that sad disaster were as follows : 

Early in the evening the wind threatened from the 
south, preparing for a storm, and beginning to blow 
with violence. We followed the coast. The launch 
Rio Pardo, with thirty men on board, a twelve 



THE BREAKERS. 53 



pounder on a pivot, and some extra rigging, taken for 
precaution, as I was unacquainted with that naviga- 
tion, seemed strong and well-prepared for us to sail 
towards the enemy^s country. But our vessels lay 
deep in the water, and sometimes sank so low into the 
sea, that they were in danger of foundering. They 
would occasionally remain several minutes under the 
waves. I determined to approach the land and find 
out where we were ; but, the winds and waves increas- 
ing, we had no choice, and were compelled to stand off 
again, and were soon involved in the frightful breakers, 
I was at that moment on the top of the mast, hoping 
to discover some point of the coast less dangerous to 
approach. By a sudden turn the vessel was rolled 
violently to starboard, and I was thrown some distance 
overboard. Although in such a perilous situation, 
I did not even think of death ; but, knowing I had 
many companions who were not seamen and were suf- 
fering from sea sickness, I endeavored to collect as 
many oars and other buoyant objects as possible, and 
brought them near the vessel, advising each man to 
take one to assist him in reaching the shore. 

The first one who came near to me, holding to a 
shroud, was Eduardo Mutru ; and to him I gave a 
dead-light, recommending to him not to let go of it on 
any account. Carniglia, the courageous man who was 
at the helm at the moment of the catastrophe, remained 
confined to the vessel on the windward side, being 
held down in such a manner, by a Calmuc jacket 



64 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

which confined his limbs, that he could not free him- 
self. He made me a sign that he wanted my assist- 
ance, and I sprang forward to relieve my dear friend. 
I had in the pocket of my trowsers a small knife with 
a handle ; this I took, and with all the strength I was 
master of, began to cut the collar, which was made of 
velvet. I had just divided it when the miserable 
instrument broke, — a surge came over us, and sunk the 
vessel and all that it contained. 

I struck the bottom of the sea, like a shot ; and the 
waters, which washed violently around me like whirl- 
pools, half-suffocated me. I rose again : but my un- 
fortunate friend was gone for ever ! A portion of the 
crew I found dispersed, and making every exertion to 
gain the coast by swimming. I succeeded among the 
first ; and the next thing, after setting my feet upon 
the land, was to turn and discover the situation of my 
comrades. Eduardo appeared, at a short distance. 
He had left the dead-light which I had given him, or, 
as is more probable, the violence of the waves had torn 
it from his grasp, and was struggling alone, with an 
appearance that indicated that he was reduced to an 
extremity. I loved Eduardo like a brother, and was 
afi'ected beyond measure at his condition. Ah ! I was 
sensitive in those days ! My heart had never been 
hardened ; and I was generous. I rushed towards my 
dear friend, reaching out to him the piece of wood 
which had saved me on my way to the shore. I had 
got very near him ; and, excited by the importance of 



SAD CATABTROPHE. 55 

the undertaking, should have saved him : but a surge 
rolled over us both ; and I was under water for a mo- 
ment. I rallied, and called out, not seeing him appear ; 
I called in desperation, — but in vain. The friend dear 
to my heart was sunk in the waves of that ocean 
which he had not feared, in his desire to join with me 
in serving the cause of mankind. Another martyr to 
Italian liberty, without a stone, in a foreign land ! 

The bodies of sixteen of my companions, drowned 
in the sea, were transported a distance of thirty miles, 
to the northern coast, and buried in its immense sands. 
Several of the remainder were brought to land. There 
were seven Italians. I can mention Luigi Carniglia, 
Eduardo Mutru, Luigi Stadirini, Giovanni D., — but 
three other names I do not remember. Some were 
good swimmers. In vain I looked among those who 
were saved, to discover any Italian faces. All my 
countrymen were dead. My feelings overpowered me. 
The world appeared to me like a desert. Many of the 
company who were neither seamen nor swimmers were 
saved. 

I found a barrel of brandy, which I thought a valu- 
able acquisition, and told Manuel Rodriguez to open 
it, and give some to each of the survivors, to invig- 
orate them. Efforts were made to open the cask : 
but, fatigued as we all were, much time was spent in 
performing the task ; and, in the mean time, the men 
became so much chilled, that they miglit have perished, 
if the thought had not occurred to me to set them all 



56 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

running, in order to restore their strength by keeping 
their blood in circulation. " Come, let us run !" I said 
to them ; and then, starting off myself and running as 
fast as I could towards the north, they would follow 
me, until unable to go further. I repeated this until I 
thought they no longer required exercise ; and am sure 
that my own life, at least, was saved by the expedient, 
— for without the effort, I must have fallen a victim to 
fatigue and cold. Thus running along the shore, we 
encouraged each other, to go further and farther. It 
made a bend, at some distance ; and on the inner side 
is the Arasingua, which runs almost parallel with the 
sea at that place, to its mouth, half a mile distant. 
We then followed the right bank ; and, after going 
about four miles, found an inhabited house, where we 
were received with the greatest hospitality. 

The Seival, our other launch, commanded by Griggs, 
being of a different construction from the Rio Pardo, 
was better able to sustain itself, although but little 
larger, against the violence of the storm, and had held 
on her course. 



CHAPTER IX. 

TREATlVIEyT EXPERIENCED BY THE SURYIYORS OP THE SHIPWRECK- 
EXPEDITION OF CANABARRO TO LAGUNA — RESULTS^EFFECTS ON" MY 
MIND OF THE LOSS OF MY OLD FRIENDS — MY RESOLUTION— REMARK- 
ABLE MEETING WITH ANNA — OUR MARRIAGE — NEW LAUNCHES BUILT 
— LEAVE THE LAGOON — CRUISE AT SEA — PRIZES TAKEN— FIGHT WITH 
A BRAZILIAN SHIP OF WAR— RESULTS. 

That part of the Province of St. Catharine where 
we had been shipwrecked, fortunately had risen in in- 
surrection against the empire on receiving the news of 
the approach of the Republican forces ; and therefore 
we were well received, found friends, were feasted, 
and at once obtained everything necessary, at least 
everytliing which those good people had to offer. We 
were soon furnished with what we needed to enable 
us to join the vanguard of Canabarro, commanded by 
Colonel Terceira, which was setting off on a rapid 
march, to surprise Laguna. And, indeed, the enter- 
prise was very successful. The garrison of that little 
city, consisting of about four hundred men, took up a 
forced march in retreat ; and three small vessels of war 
surrendered after a short resistance. I went witli my 
shipwrecked sailors on board the sloop Itaparica, wliich 
had seven guns. Fortune smiled so much on the Re- 
publicans in those first days of the revolution, that it 
3-^ (-'^) 



58 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

seemed as if Providence was pleased to grant us suc- 
cess. The Imperialists, not knowing and not believ- 
ing that such an expedition could be sent so suddenly 
to Laguna, but having information that an invasion 
was meditated by us, had a supply of arms and ammu- 
nition then on the way, which, with soldiers and every- 
thing, fell into our hands. The inhabitants received 
us like brothers and liberators : a character which we 
well merited, and which we sustained during our stay 
among those very kind and good people. 

Canabarro, having fixed his head-quarters in the city 
of Laguna, called by the Republicans Villa Juliana, 
(because our entrance was made in July,) promised to 
establish a Provincial Representative Government, the 
first president of which was a reverend priest, who had 
great influence among the people. Rosetti, with the 
title of Secretary of the Government, was in fact the 
soul of it. And Rosetti, in truth, was formed for 
such a station. 

At that time occurred one of the most important 
events of my life. I had never thought of matrimony, 
but had considered myself incapable of it from being 
of too independent a disposition, and too much in- 
clined to adventure. To have a wife and children 
appeared to me decidedly repulsive, as I had devoted 
my whole life to one principle, which, however good it 
might be, could not leave me the quietness necessary to 
the father of a family. But my destiny guided me in a 
different direction from what I had designed for my- 



THOUGHTS OF MARRIAGE. 59 

self. By the loss of Luigi Carniglia, Eduardo and 
my other comrades, I was left in a state of complete 
isolation, and felt as if alone in the world. Not one 
of those friends of my heart remained. I felt the 
greatest possible need of them. All the friends I now 
had were new ones : good, it is true, but not one of 
them really an intimate one. And this change had 
been made so unexpectedly, and in so terrible a manner, 
that it was impossible to overcome the impressions it 
had made upon my feelings. I felt the want of some 
one to love me, and a desire that such a one might be 
very soon supplied, as my present state of mind seemed 
insupportable. 

Rosetti was a brother to me : but he could not live 
with me, and I could see him but rarely. I desired a 
friend of a different character ; for, although still 
young, I had considerable knowledge of men, and 
knew enough to understand what was necessary for 
me in a true friend. One of the other sex, I thought 
must supply the vacant place, for I had always re- 
garded woman as the most perfect of creatures, and 
believe it far easier to find a loving heart among that 
sex. 

I walked the deck of the Itaparica, with my mind 
revolving these things, and finally came to the conclu- 
sion to seek for some lady possessing the character 
which I desired. I one day cast a casual glance at 
a house in the Burra, (the eastern part of the entrance 
of the Jayuna,) and there observed a young femalo 



60 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

whose appearance struck me as having something 
very extraordinary. So powerful was the impression 
made upon me at the moment, though from some cause 
which I was not able fully to ascertain, that I gave 
orders and was transported towards the house. But 
tlien I knew of no one to whom I could apply for an 
introduction. I soon, however, met with a person, an 
inhabitant of the town, who had been acquainted with 
me from the time of arrival. I soon received an invi- 
tation to take coffee with his family, and the first per- 
son who entered was the lady whose appearance had 
so mysteriously but irresistibly drawn me to the place. 
I saluted her ; we were soon acquainted ; and I found 
that the hidden treasure which I had discovered was 
of rare and inestimable worth. But I have since re- 
proached myself for removing her from her peaceful 
native retirement to scenes of danger, toil and suffer- 
ing. I felt most deeply self-reproach on that day when, 
at the mouth of the Po, having landed, in our retreat 
from an Austrian squadron, while still hoping to re- 
store her to life, on taking her pulse I found her a 
corpse, and sang the hymn of despair. I prayed for 
forgiveness, for I thought of the sin of taking her 
from her home. 

Little or nothing of importance, after this, took 
place in tlie Lagoon. The building of our launches 
was commenced ; and the materials were obtained 
from the remains of the prizes, and by the assistance 
of the neighboring inhabitants, who were always 



LEATE THE LAGOON. 61 



friendly, and forward in aiding me. Two launches 
having been completed and armed, the band were 
called to Itaparica, to cooperate with the army, then 
besieging the capital of the province, Porto Allegre. 
The army accomplished nothing ; and the band were 
unable to effect anything all the time they spent in 
that part of the Laguna. An expedition was contem- 
plated in the province of St. Catherine ; I was called 
to join it, and General Canabarro was to accompany me. 
The two smaller launches remained in the lake, under 
the command of Zefferino d^Ubrea ; and I went with 
two others, with the division of Canabarro, which was 
to appear by land, while I was to approach by water. 

I was accompanied by my inseparable friend, John 
Griggs, and had with me a chosen part of my band, 
who had assisted in building the launches. 

The three vessels w^hich were armed, and destined 
to make an excursion on the ocean, were the Rio 
Pardo, which was under my command, and the Casa- 
pava, under Griggs— both schooners — and lastly, the 
Seival, which had come from Rio Grande, commanded 
by the Italian, Lorenzo. The mouth of the Lagoon 
was blockaded by Imperial vessels of war ; but we 
went out by night, without falling in with any of tliem, 
and steered north. When we had reached the latitude 
of Santos, we met an Imperial corvette, which chased 
us two days in vain, — when we approached the Island 
of Abrigo, where we captured two Sumacas. This is 
a kind of vessel, so named by the Brazilians, being a 



62 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

sort of sloop. We then proceeded on the cruise, and 
took several other prizes. After eight days^ sailing 
we returned towards the Lagoon. 

I had conceived a singular presentiment of the state 
of things in that region, because, before my departure, 
the people of St. Catherine's had begun to show a 
bad humor, and it was known that a strong corps of 
troops was approaching, commanded by General 
Andrea, who was famous for precipitation, and his 
atrocious system of warfare, which made him much 
feared. When off St. Catherine's, on our return, we 
met a Brazilian patachio, which is a sort of brig- 
schooner, — the Rio Pardo and the Seival being to- 
gether, the Casapava having parted company a few 
nights before, when it was very dark. 

We were discovered ; and there was no escape 
We therefore attacked them, and opening a fire. The? 
enemy replied bravely ; but the action could produce 
but little effect, because the sea was very rough. The 
result, however, was the loss of several of our prizes, 
the commanders of some of which, being frightened 
by the superior force of the enemy, struck their flags, 
while others steered for the neighboring coast. Only 
one of the prizes was saved, that commanded by the 
brave Ignacio Bilbao, which went ashore in the port 
of Imbituba, and remained in our possession. The 
Seival had her gun dismounted in the engagement, and 
having sprung aleak, took the same direction, and I 
was obliged to abandon the prizes. 



AN ENGAGEMENT. 63 



We entered Imbituba with a northerly wind, wliich 
changed to the south in the night, and thus rendered it 
impossible to enter the Lagoon. It was to be pre- 
sumed that we would be attacked by the Imperial ves- 
sels stationed at the island of St. Catherine's, because 
information would be carried to them by that with 
which we had the engagement. It was therefore 
necessary to make preparations ; and the SeivaVs dis- 
mounted gun was placed on a promontory which forms 
the bay on the eastern side, and a. battery was formed 
of gabions. At daylight three Imperial vessels were 
discovered approaching. The Rio Pardo, which was 
at anchor at the bottom of the bay, commenced the 
action, which was rather a singular one, the Imperial- 
ists being in incomparably superior force. The 
enemy, being favored by the wind in manoeuvring, 
kept under sail, and gave a furious fire, from favorable 
positions, all of them upon my one poor little schooner. 
She, however, maintained the fight with resolution, 
and at close quarters, — even carbines being used on 
both sides. 

But the injuries done were in inverse proportion to 
the forces of the two parties ; for the Republican 
vessel was soon strewn with dead bodies, while the 
hull was riddled and the spars destroyed. We had 
resolved to fight to the last ; and this resolution was 
increased by the Brazilian Amazon on board. My wife 
not only refused to land, but took an active part in the 
engagement. If the crew fought with resolution, they 



64 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDL 

receired no little aid from the brave Manuel Rod- 
riguez, rflio commanded the battery, and kept up a 
well-directed and effective fire. The enemy were very 
determined, but operated chiefly against the schooner ; 
and I several times believed, as they came up, that 
they were going to board us, — and was prepared for 
everything, except to submit. 

At length, after several hours spent in active fight, 
the enemy retired, on account, as was said, of the 
death of the commander of the Bella Americana, one of 
their vessels. We spent the remainder of the day in 
burying our dead and in repairing our greatest damages. 

During the following day the enemy remained at a 
distance, and we made preparations for fighting, and 
also for escape by sailing to the Lagoon, the wind being 
then more favorable. 

[Here occurs a blank in our manuscript. — Trans- 
lator.l 



CHAPTER X. 

DISCONTENT OF THE PEOPLE OF ST. CATHERINE'S— REVOLT AT JAMAI- 
CA — ATTACK ON THAT TOWN — CONDUCT OP THE TROOPS — RETREAT 
TO THE LAGOON — PURSUED — THE IMPERIALISTS GAINING STRENGTH — 
COL. TEROEIRA'S EXPEDITION AGAINST MELLO — OUR DISASTER — RALLY. 

Changes were expected to take place at Laguiia on 
the approach of the enemy, who were very strong on 
land ; and little good-will shown by St. Catherine's 
induced some of the towns to rise against the Republi- 
can authority. Among these was the town of Jamaica, 
a place situated at the extremity of the lake. Cana- 
barro gave me a peremptory charge to reduce it, and, 
as a punishment, to sack it. The garrison had made 
preparations for defence towards the water ; but I 
landed at the distance of three miles, and attacked 
them unexpectedly from the mountains. The garrison 
being discomfited and put to flight, the troops under 
my command were soon in possession of the town. I 
wish, for myself, and for every other person who has 
not forgotten to be a man, to be exempt from the ne- 
cessity of witnessing the sack of a town. A long and 
minute description would not be sufficient to give a 
just idea of the baseness and wickedness of such a 
deed May God save me from such a spectacle here- 

4 ,65) 



66 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

after ! I never spent a day of such wretchedness and 
in such lamentation. I was filled with horror ; and 
the fatigue I endured in restraining personal violence 
was excessive. As for preventing robbery, that was 
impossible. A terrible state of disorder prevailed. The 
authority of a commander availed nothing ; nor could 
all the exertions made by myself and a few officers con- 
trol their unbridled cupidity. It had no effect to 
threaten them that the enemy would return to the 
fight in much greater numbers, and if they should take 
them by surprise, disbanded and intoxicated, would 
make a sacrifice of them, — though that was true to the 
letter. Nothing would prevent them from engaging 
in a general scene of pillage. The town, though small, 
unfortunately contained a vast quantity of spirits ; 
and drunkenness soon became general. The men who 
were with me were new levies, whom I did not know, 
and wholly undisciplined. I am sure that if even fifty 
of the enemy had appeared, in those circumstances, we 
should have been lost. 

After a long time, by threats, blows, and some 
wounds, those wild beasts were marched out and em- 
barked ; several pipes of spirits were shipped for the 
division, and we returned to the Lagoon, while the 
Republican vanguard was retiring before the enemy, 
who were advancing with celerity, and very strong. 

When we reached the Lagoon, we took the baggage 
across to the right shore. 

That day I had much to do ; for, if the men were 



RETREAT TO THE LAGOON. 67 

not very numerous, there were many embarrassments, 
and many horses to be taken care of. And besides, 
the outlet of the Lagoon was narrow at the entrance, 
the current was strong, and when this was not found, 
the shores were not distant. I had to labor, there- 
fore, from morning until near noon, to get the division 
over, and then stood near the bar to observe the en- 
emy^s vessels, which were advancing in combination 
with the land forces with a great number of troops on 
board. Before ascending the mountain, I had already 
sent information to the General that the enemy were pre- 
paring to force the passage of the bar, having been 
able to discover the enemy ^s vessels while I was effect- 
ing the transport. Having reached the other side, I 
satisfied myself of the fact. The enemy had twenty- 
two vessels, all adapted to the entrance. I then re- 
peated the message ; but either the General was doubt- 
ful, or his men wanted to eat or to rest. The fact 
was, that not a man arrived in time to assist in oper- 
ating at the point where our infantry had been posted, 
and where we might have made great havoc with the 
enemy. Resistance was made by the battery situated 
on the eastern point, commanded by the brave Cap- 
tain Capotto ; but, in consequence of the want of 
practice on the part of the cannoniers, very little dam- 
age was done. The same result was experienced by 
the three vessels under my command, the crews of 
which were very small, many of tlie men that day be- 
ing on land ; and thus some would rest, and others 



68 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

would not expose themselves to the tremendous battle 
which was preparing. I was at my post in tlie Eio 
Par io ; and my wife, the incomparable Anita, fired 
tho first shot, putting the match to the gun with lier 
ovs n hand, and animating with her voice the timid 
and the hesitating. 

The battle was sliort, but a murderous one. Not 
many were killed, because very few were on board ; 
but I was the only officer in the three vessels left aliVe. 
All the enemy's squadron entered, making a tremen- 
dous fire, favored by the wind and the current flowing 
in, by wliich- their velocity was much increased, and 
anchored at the distance of a cannon-shot from our 
vessels, still keeping up their cannonade. I asked 
Canabarro for men to continue the battle ; but re- 
ceived, in answer, an order to destroy the vessels and 
retire, with all the remainder that could be landed. I 
had sent Anna with the message, directing her to re- 
main on shore ; but she returned on board Avith the 
answer, showing a coolness and courage which excited 
my astonishment and highest admiration. To her 
boldness and exertions was due the saving of the ammu- 
nition, which Avas safely landed. AVhen this was effect- 
ed, I remained alone on board, having yet to perform 
the last act of setting the little flotilla on fire. Tlie 
enemy still continued their severe cannonade. I had 
to contemplate a terrible spectacle on every vessel, 
as I visited them all in succession, the decks being 
strewn with the dead. Captain Enrique, of the Tap- 



RESULT OF THE BATTLE. 69 

arica, from Lagima, was found shot through the breast 
with a grape shot ; Griggs, commander of the Cassa- 
pava, had been cut in two by a shot, and his trunk 
was standing against the bulwarks, his face retaining 
its natural rubicund look, so that he seemed as if 
living. A few moments afterwards their bodies were 
sunk in the water : those victims of the empire were 
lost to human sight. 

Night came on, as I collected the survivors, and 
marched behind the division, on the retreat for Rio 
Grande, by the same road which they had trodden a 
few months before, with their hearts filled with hope 
and confident of victory. 

Among the many sufferings of my stormy life, I 
have not been without happy moments ; and among 
them, I count that in which, at the head of the few 
men remaining to me after numerous conflicts, and 
who had gained the character of bravery, I first 
mounted, and commenced my march, with my wife at 
my side, in a career which had always attractions for 
me, even greater than that of the sea. It seemed to 
me of little importance that my entire property was 
tliat which I carried, and that I was in the service of 
a poor republic, unable to pay anj^body. I had a 
sabre and a carbine, which I carried on the front of 
my saddle. My wife was my treasure, and no less 
fervent in the cause of the people than myself; and 
she looked upon battles as an amusement, and the 
inconveniences of a life in the field as a pastime. 



70 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

Then, whatever might happen, 1 was looked upon 
with smiles ; and the more wild the extensive and 
de^rt American plains appeared, the more beautiful 
and delightful they seemed to our eyes. I thouglit 
myself in the performance of my duty, in encountering 
and overcoming the dangers to which I exposed 
myself, as the object I had in view was the good of 
men who needed my aid. 

We reached Las Torres, the boundary of the two 
neighboring provinces, where we established our camp. 
The enemy contented themselves with being masters 
of the Lagoon, and did not proceed beyond. But, in 
combination with the division of Andrea, the division 
of Acunha advanced by the Serra, having recently 
come from the province of St. Paul, and being on the 
way for the Cima da Serra, (meaning the top of the 
mountains,) a department belonging to Rio Grande. 
The Serrans, overwhelmed by a superior force, asked 
assistance of General Canabarro ; and he arranged 
an expedition for their aid, under the command of 
General Terceira. I, with my companions, formed a 
part of it ; and, having joined the Serrans, who were 
under Colonel Acunha, we completely beat that divi- 
sion at Santa Victoria. The General was lost in tlie 
river Pelotas, and the greater part of his troops were 
made prisoners. 

That victory brought the three provinces of Lages, 
Vaccaria, and Cima da Serra, under the republic ; and, a 
few days after, the conquerors entered Lages in triumph. 



PREPARATION FOR ACTION. 71 

In the meantime the invasion by the Imperialists 
had restored their party to power in the province of 
Missiones ; and Colonel Mello, the Imperial General, 
had increased his corps in that province to about five 
hundred men. General Bento Manuel, who was to 
have fought him, was unable, because he had retreated ; 
and he contented himself with sending Lieutenant- 
Colonel Portinhos in pursuit of Mello, who was march- 
ing in the direction of San Pablo. The position in 
which I was then placed gave us an opportunity not 
only to oppose Mello, but also to exterminate his force. 
But such was not the event. 

Colonel Terceira being uncertain whether the enemy 
would come by Vaccaria, or by the Caritibani, 
divided his forces into two, sending Colonel Aranha, 
with the good cavalry of the Serra, to Vaccaria, and 
marching towards the Caritibani with the infantry, 
and a part of the cavalry, chiefly composed of prison- 
ers. It was by that point that the enemy approached. 
This division of the forces proved fatal. Their recent 
victory, the ardent feelings of the corps, and the infor- 
mation received concerning the enemy, which repre- 
sented their numbers and spirit as less than they 
really were, led to their despising them too much. 

After a three days' march we reached Caritibani, 
and went round by the pass of Maromba, by which it 
was supposed the enemy would march. Guards 
were placed in the Pass, and at other points, where 
they were thought necessary. Towards midnight the 



72 LIFE OP GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

guards at the pass were attacked, and compelled to 
retreat, so that they had scarcely time to escape after 
firing a few shots. From that moment until the 
break of day, the Republican troops stood ready for 
action ; and it was not long after that hour that the 
enemy appeared, having crossed the river with their 
whole force, and drawn np near it ready for action. 

Any other officer than Terceira, on seeing their 
superiority, would have hastened to effect a junction 
with the column of Aranha, and would have occupied 
the enemy until he could have accomplished it. But 
the ardent Republican feared that the enemy might 
escape him, and deprive him of an opportunity to fight. 
He therefore pressed on to the encounter, although the 
enemy were in an advantageous position. Of that 
position they took advantage, having formed their line 
of battle on a hill of considerable height, opposite 
which was a very deep valley, obstructed with thick 
bushes. I had covered our flanks with several pla- 
toons of cavalry, which they did not see. Terceira 
ordered to attack, with a band of infantry, taking 
advantage of the obstacles in the valley. The attack 
was made, and the enemy made a feint of retreating ; 
but, while the whole Republican body, after passing 
the valley, was pursuing the enemy under the hill, 
within musket-shot, it was charged in flank by a 
squadron which had been concealed on the right flank 
of the enemy, obliged to retreat in disorder, and to 
concentrate anew. In that encounter fell one of the 



RETREAT OF THE ENEMY. 73 

bravest of my officers, Manuel N., who was very dear 
to me. The troops, being now reinforced, and sent 
forward with greater impetus and resolution, the enemy 
finally retired, and took up their retreat, leaving one 
of their men dead on the field. 

There were not many wounded on either side, for 
very few had taken part in the action. The enemy^ 
however, retreated precipitately, and the Republicans 
pursued them to Aube ; but the infantry were not able 
to overtake them in nine miles, although they did their 
utmost to accelerate their march. In the vicinity of 
the Pass of Maromba, the commander of the Republi- 
can vanguard, Major Jacinto, informed the Colonel 
thut the enemy were crossing the Ganado and the 
Oavaladas,"^ with indications that they would continue 
their retreat and not recover from their panic. The 
brave Terceira did not hesitate for a moment, but 
ordered the cavalry to proceed on the gallop, and 
directed me to follow with the infantry as fast as pos- 
sible. 

The watchful enemy, however, had only manoeuvred 
to deceive us, and by the precipitation of their march 
had got in an advantageous position of which we were 
not aware, concealed by the ground. One of our pla- 
toons had been placed far in advance, and two others 

'"' "Ganado" means herds of cattle, and " Cavaladas'' herds of horses, 
which animals abound in tliose regions, living in the rich pastures. 
The cattle afford the only food for soldiers, and the horses are indispen- 
sable for cavalry — the best troops in South America. 



74 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDL 

near it, but the infantry imprudently left far behind. 
The enemy suddenly extended their right and made his 
appearance on our left, running out from a valley which 
had a small declivity. They bore down upon the Re- 
publican platoon with their lances, and gave them this 
first notice of their error, which there was not time to 
repair. Attacked in flank, they were completely dis- 
comfited. The other platoons of cavalry shared the 
same fate, notwithstanding the courage and efforts 
of Terceira and several brave Rio Grande officers. 
Being taken in detail, they opposed little resistance ; 
and in a short time all were scattered, flying and com- 
pletely broken. To be so far with the infantry was 
very painful to me, and the more so because the 
materials of which it was composed were not good, the 
greater part being men who had been prisoners in 
Santa Victoria. I therefore hastened on the infantry 
as fast as possible to join in the fight, but in vain. 
Having reached an elevation, I witnessed the slaughter 
of my friends, and knew there was no time to do any- 
thing to turn the tide, and therefore resolved to save 
as many as possible. 

I called to about a dozen of my old companions, 
whom I saw and recognized ; and, on hearing my voice, 
they hastened towards me. I left an officer, to remain 
in charge of the body of infantry (Major Peixotto,) 
and then, with that small band, I took a position, 
partly sheltered by a few bushes, on an elevated spot 
of ground. There we began to make a stand against 



REPULSE OF CAVALRY. 75 

the enemy, and to teach them that they were not vic- 
torious everywhere. In an attack upon us, several 
companies of cavalry were repulsed, although they 
made great efforts and displayed much courage. The 
infantry at last joined us in our position, and then the 
defence became powerful, and to the enemy terrible 
and murderous. 



CHAPTER XI. 

THE ENEilY STILL HELD IX CHECK— NECESSITY OF RETREAT — PREPA- 
RATION — C0:MMEXCEMENT — progress— result — ARRIVAL AT THE 
TOWN OF LAGES. 

In the meantime, strong in my position, and having 
now a band of seventy-three, I fought the enemy with 
advantage. As the Imperialists vrere destitute of in- 
fantry, they had little desire to engage with troops of 
that arm. Notwithstanding the advantageous ground 
possessed by us, however, it was necessary to seek a 
more secure cover, to prevent the victorious enemy 
from bringing together all their forces, and to avoid 
giving time for the courage of the defenders to cool. 
I observed a cappon, or island of trees, which was in 
sight, at about the distance of a mile, and undertook 
a retreat in that direction. The enemy manoeuvred 
to interrupt us, and every few moments charged with 
the advantage of the ground. In such circumstances 
it proved highly important that my oflScers were armed 
with carbines ; and, as they were all good soldiers, 
they repelled the enemy's charges with unshaken firm- 
ness. Thus the remains of our conquered party reached 
the cappon, Avhere the enemy offered us no further 
molestation ; while we penetrated a little distance into 

(76) 



RETREAT. 77 



the wood, chose a cleared spot, and collecting together, 
with our arms ready, waited for night. The enemy 
were heard calling out to us " Surrender I Surrender ! '' 
We kept silence and returned no answer. 

Night at length came on ; and I made preparations 
for departure. A few wounded men, who were of our 
number, presented the greatest difficulty. Among them 
was Major Peixotto, who had received a ball in his 
foot. Near ten o'clock in the evening, when the wound- 
ed had been accommodated in the best manner possi- 
ble, the march was commenced, by proceeding along 
the skirts of the cappon, which we left on the right, 
endeavoring to find the borders of the Matto, or for- 
est. That forest, perhaps the largest in the w(>rld, ex- 
tends from the alluvial regions of the Plata to those of 
the Amazon, crowning the crest of the Serra de Espin- 
asso, which forms the backbone of Brazil, over an ex- 
tent of thirty-four degrees of latitude. The number 
of degrees of longitude which it embraces we are una- 
ble to give. In the midst of that immense wilderness 
are situated the three departments of Cima da Serra, 
Vaccaria and Lages, which are surrounded by the for- 
ests. The scene of our dangerous operations was now 
Caritibani, in the last named department, a place which 
derived its name from Caritiba, a place in the province 
of Santa Caterina, (St. Catharine,) from which the in- 
habitants came. 

In order to reach the forest, the troops moved along 
the side of the cappon^ intending to take the course 



78 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

towards Lages, to find the corps of Aranha, from 
whicli they were unfortunately separated. One of 
those things occurred on their issuing from the wood, 
which prove how far man is the child of circumstances, 
and what effect may be produced by a panic, even on 
the most intrepid soldiers. The Eepublicans were 
marching in silence ; and, as may be supposed, pre- 
pared for action, in case the enemy should appear in an 
attitude of opposing them. A horse, which happened 
to be in that part of the wood, on hearing the little 
noise made by the cautious soldiers in their march, took 
to flight, and ran away. One voice was heard to ex- 
claim : " The enemy !" and, in a moment, all those sev- 
enty-three men, who had so lately most valiantly fought 
five hundred, rushed at once into the thickest of the 
forest ; and, so far did they become separated and scat- 
tered, in that moment of fear, that it would have taken - 
many hours to collect them again ; and, as it was im- 
possible for us to wait long enough, several were left 
behind and lost. The others pursued their way with 
me ; and when daybreak appeared, we found ourselves 
on the long wished-for border of the forest, and issu- 
ing in the direction of Lages. The next day the ene- 
my approached, but did not reach us. The day of bat- 
tle was terrible, for its labors, dangers and troubles ; 
but we fought, and that idea overpow^ered every other ; 
but in the forest, where meat, the accustomed food, 
was in fact wanting, and w^here no other kind could 
be obtained, we remained four days without finding 



AT LAGES. 79 



anything to eat except the roots of plants. The fa- 
tigue we endured was indescribable, in following a re- 
treat where there were no paths, and where nature 
incomparably prolific and robust, had reared up 
colossal pines in the immense woods, and the gi- 
gantic taquara, (a kind of cane,) which formed insu- 
perable barriers in many places. Many of the company 
were discouraged, some deserted, and it was a great 
task, first to collect them, and then to convince them 
that it was better to accompany the corps than to de- 
sert it, though they might absent themselves, if they 
preferred it, as they should be free to do as they 
pleased. This manner of proceeding with them proved 
perfectly successful. From that moment there was no 
more desertion ; and the hope of safety began to arise 
in the hearts of the troops. 

On the fifth day after the battle we reached the en- 
trance of the Piccada, (a narrow path cut through the 
forest,) where we found a house and made a halt, kill- 
ing two oxen. We made two prisoners in the house, 
who belonged to the enemy, and who had fought us. 
We then continued our way to Lages, which we reached 
after a day's march through the rain. 

The town of Lages, which had made such rejoicing 
on our arrival as conquerors, had changed its flag on 
hearing of our disasters ; and some of the boldest of 
the inhabitants had established the imperial system. 
On our approach they fled ; and, as most of them were 
merchants, numbers left their stores filled with every- 



80 LIFE OF GENERAL GAPJBALDL 

thing necessary to restore the needy soldiers ; and thus 
their condition was greatly improved. Terceira wrote 
to Aranha, in the mean time, ordering him to concen- 
trate again ; as he had notice at that time of the arri- 
val of Lieutenant C olonel Tartinho, who had been 
sent by Bento Manuel in pursuit of the forces of Mello. 



CHAPTER XII. 

MY HIGH ESTIMATE OF THE ''SONS OF THE CONTINENT" — DEFECTS IN 
DISCIPLINE— I DESCEND THE SERRA — DIFFICULTIES OF THE MARCH — 
REACH MALACARA — GENERAL JORGE— GENS. NETTO AND CANABARRO 
— TWO LARGE ARMIES MEET AT PINEIRINO, ON THE SAGUARE— PAT- 
RIOTISM OF THE REPUBLICANS— A WISH FOR ITALY — RESULT OF THE 
EXPEDITION. 

I HAVE served the cause of the people in America, and 
served it with sincerity, as I everywhere fought against 
absolutism. Being warmly attached to the system cor- 
responding with my convictions, I was equally opposed 
in my feelings to the opposite system. I have always 
rather pitied than hated men who have been led to 
selfishness by misfortune ; and, when now viewing the 
scenes I passed through, from a far distant country, 
and long after their occurrence, the accounts contained 
in the succeeding pages may be regarded as impartial, 
with the care which has been taken in recording facts, 
reviewing occurrences, and making allowances for 
men and circumstances. 

It may be unhesitatingly asserted that " Tlie Sons 
of the Continent^^^ (the name given to the people of Rio 
Grande,) were most ardent and intrepid men. This 
4^ (81) 



82 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

character I claim for them, after having had many op- 
portunities to form a correct opinion. The occupation 
of Lages by our troops was therefore a very bold step, 
with the intention of defending it against an enemy 
ten times superior and victorious, and divided from 
them only by the river Canoas, which could not be de- 
fended, and far from any auxiliaries who might have 
wished to aid the Republicans. Many days passed be- 
fore the junction of Aranha and Portinho ; and, during 
all that time, the enemy were kept at bay by a small 
band of men. The reinforcements had no sooner ar- 
rived, than the Republicans marched resolutely against 
the enemy : but the Imperialists did not accept the 
offer of a battle, but retired when we approached, mak- 
ing a stand in the Province of San Paolo, where they 
were to be joined by large reinforcements of infantry 
and cavalry. The Republicans then felt the defect 
and the evils of being composed chiefly of men brave 
indeed, but who did not know the importance of keep- 
ing their ranks, except when the enemy appeared, and 
relaxed in discipline whenever they were either far 
distant, or remained near without showing inclination 
for a speedy battle. 

That fault was almost their ruin, and a more enter- 
prising enemy would have known how to take advan- 
tage of it. The Serranos, (or people of the neighboring 
mountains,) began to leave the ftles, and throw their 
lazos, not only over their own horses, but over those 
belonging to the division. Those of Portinho, (the 



DESCENT OF THE SERRA. 83 

people of the Province of Missions,) followed their 
example ; and the force was soon so far reduced, that 
they were obliged to abandon Lages, and retire to the 
province of Rio Grande, fearing an attack from the 
enemy. The rest of the forces, being thus weakened, 
and in want of necessaries, especially clothing, which 
was quite indispensable in consequence of the com- 
mencement of cold wheater so early in those elevated 
regions, began to lose their spirits, and demanded, with 
a loud voice, to return to their homes. Colonel 
Terceira was then obliged to yield to so many necessi- 
ties, and ordered me to descend the Serra and rejoin 
the army, while he prepared to follow me. 

That descent was arduous, in consequence of the 
difficult roads, and the decided hostility of the inhabi- 
tants, who were enemies of the Republicans. I pro- 
ceeded by the Piccada de Peluffo. The troops were 
only about sixty in number, and they had to confront 
terrible ambuscades ; but such were their indomitable 
boldness and perseverance, that ihej passed in safety. 
Although the path was very narrow, and everywhere 
overshadowed by a very thick forest, the enemy, 
being natives of the country, and therefore perfectly 
acquainted with every place, chose the most thorny 
spots for their ambushes, ruslied out with fury and 
tremendous cries upon the Republican troops, who 
in return poured in their volleys of musketry, and 
used their sabres. At length, the vigor and perse- 
verance of the latter so far intimidated the mouu- 



84 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDL 

taineers, that they killed but one horse, and only 
slightly wounded a few men. 

We arrived at the head-quarters, in Malacara, dis- 
tant twelve miles from Porto Allegro, where was the 
President, Bento Gonzales, then General-in-chief. 

The Republican army were preparing to march. 
The enemy's army, after losing the battle of Rio Pardo, 
had recruited in Porto AUegre, and gone out, under 
command of the old general, Jorge, (George,) and 
had encamped on the bank of the Cahi, waiting for 
General Calderon to join him, who had left Rio 
Grande with a strong body of cavalry and was to 
effect a junction, by crossing the country. The same 
defect which has been mentioned above, — that is, the 
delusive security of the Republican ti*oops when there 
was no enemy in sight, — facilitated those movements of 
the enemy : when General Netto, who conmianded the. 
country troops, had collected force enough to fight 
Calderon, the latter, having now joined the main 
body of the Imperial army, at Cahi, which was threat- 
ening the Republicans with superior numbers, while 
besieging, compelled them to raise the siege. It was 
indispensable to the President to join the division of 
Netto, in order to be in a condition to fight the 
enemyls army ; and that junction, being happily 
effected, greatly lionored the military capacity of 
Bento Gonzales. They marched with the army from 
Malacara, taking the direction of San Leopoldo, pass- 
ing within two miles of the enemy's army ; and in two 



THE ENEMY^S POSITION. 85 

days and nights, almost without eating, arrived in the 
neighborhood of Tagiiary, where they found General' 
Netto, who had come to meet them. 

The march had been made, as was just remarked, 
almost without eating ; and, as soon as the enemy had 
notice of the movement, they set off, at forced marches, 
to fight them. By rare fortune they overtook the 
Republicans when they had halted, and were engaged 
in cooking their meat, — the only food, as has been 
remarked, which armies in that country ever have to 
subsist upon. They were, therefore, obliged to desist, 
and defer their meal until thej?' could effect the junc- 
tion designed. They halted again at Pinheirino, six 
miles from Taguary, and made all the arrangements 
for a battle. The Republican army, consisting of 
five thousand cavalry and one thousand infantry, occu- 
pied the heights of Pinheirino ; the infantry being 
in the centre, under the command of the aged Colonel 
Crescenzio ; the right wing under General Netto ; and 
the left under General Canabarro. Both wings were 
wholly composed of cavalry, which, without exaggera- 
tion, was the best in the world, although ill-provided. 
The infantry was excellent; and the desire for fighting 
was strong and general. Colonel Joao Antonio com- 
manded the reserve, which was a corps of artillery. 

The enemy had four thousand infantry, and, it was 
said, tliree thousand cavalry, with a few pieces of 
artillery. They had taken positions on tlic other side 
of the bed of a little torrent, which divided the two 



86 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

armies ; and their force and position were not to be 
despised. They were the best troops of the empire, 
and commanded by a very skilful general, although 
advanced in years. 

The enemy^s general had marclied in warm pursuit 
of the Republicans up to that place, and now made 
every arrangement for a regular attack. Two bat- 
talions of infantry had crossed the dry bed of the 
torrent ; and two pieces of artillery, placed on tlie 
bank, thundered upon the line of Republican cavalry. 
On their side, the brave men of the first brigade, 
under the command of Netto, had drawn their sabres, 
and waited only for the sound of the trumpet, to 
launch themselves upon the two battalions which were 
crossing over. Those warlike sons of the continent 
felt the certainty of victory. Netto and they had 
never been conquered. The infantry, echalloned by 
divisions, on the highest part of the hill, and covered 
by its verge, were crying out for battle. The terrible 
lancers of Canabarro had already made a movement 
forward, confusing the right flank of the enemy, which 
was therefore obliged to change front in confusion. 
The brave freedmen, proud of their force, became 
more firm and resolute ; and that incomparable corps 
presented to view a forest of lances, being composed 
entirely of slaves liberated by the Republic, and 
chosen from the best horse-tamers in the province, and 
all of them blacks, even the superior officers. The 
enemy had never seen the backs of those true sons of 



EETREAT OF THE ENEMY. 87 

liberty. Their lances, which were longer than the 
common measure, their ebony faces and robust limbs, 
strengthened by perennial and laborious exercise, 
and their perfect discipline, struck terror into the 
enemy. The animating voice of the General-in-chief 
had been heard, as he rode along the lines : '' Every 
one of you must fight for four men to-day !^' These 
were the few and only words of that distinguished 
man, who possessed all the qualities of a great captain, 
except good fortune. Every heart seemed to feel the 
palpitation of war, and the confidence of victory. A 
more beautiful day, or a more splendid scene, was 
never beheld. The ground was scattered with a few 
low plants, and offered no obstacle to the view, so that 
everything was clearly visible, even the slightest 
movement, and, as it were, all under my feet. In a 
few minutes was to be decided the fate of the largest 
part of the American continent, with the destinies of 
a numerous people. Those bodies of men, so compact, 
so orderly and steady, in a few moments will be broken 
up, and some of them thrown into confusion and de- 
feated. Soon, the blood, the mangled limbs, and the 
corpses of many of those young men will disfigure the 
beautiful fields. Yes : now all are waiting and panting 
for the signal of battle. — Yet in vain was all that 
preparation, vain the expectation ; that field was not 
to be a field of slaughter. 

The enemy^s general, intimidated at the strong 
positions occupied by the Republicans, and by their 



LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDL 



proud arra}^, made liis appearance, and had the two 
battalions recalled from the opposite bank, to which 
they had crossed without orders, and placed himself 
on the defensive. General Calderon was killed in 
making a reconnaissance. Was that the cause of the 
irresolution of General Jorge ? As the Republicans 
were not attacked, they ought to have attacked. This 
was the opinion of many ; but would it have been 
wise ? If they had been attacked in their fine posi- 
tions, there would have been every probability of 
victory ; but to descend from them and meet the enemy 
on equal ground, it Avould be necessary to cross the 
bed of the torrent, which was somewhat rough and 
difficult, although dry, and the superiority in numbers 
of the enemy's infantry was by no means small. In fine, 
there was no battle, and the enemies remained all day 
in sight of each other, with only a little skirmishing. 
In the camp of the Republicans there was a scarcity 
of meat, and the infantry especially were famishing. 
But, what was still more insupportable, thirst also 
prevailed, for there was no water. But that people 
are hardened by a life of privations. No lamentations 
were heard, except for the w^ant of permission to 
fight. Oh, Italians ! oh, for the day when you shall 
be united and enduring like those children of the 
desert. The stranger shall not then trample upon 
your soil ; he shall not contaminate your air. Italy 
will then take her proper place among the first nations 
of the earth. 



FIGHT WITH THE INFANTRY. 



That night the old general, Jorge, disappeared, and 
in the morning the enemy were nowhere to be seen on 
any side. The early mist remained until ten o'clock ; 
it then rose, and they were discovered in the strong 
positions of Taguary. Soon afterwards news arrived 
that their cavalry were crossing the river. The 
enemy, therefore, were retreating, and it was necessary 
to attack them. The Republicans made no hesitation, 
and the army marched, resolved on a battle. Only 
the enemy's cavalry, however, had crossed the river, 
assisted in the passage by several imperial vessels, but 
the infantry remained on the banks, protected by the 
woods, having taken the most advantageous positions. 
The second brigade of Republican infantry, composed 
of the second and third battalions, was destined to 
begin the attack. This was performed with all pos- 
sible bravery, but the numbers of the enemy were very 
far superior, and those courageous soldiers, after per- 
forming feats of valor, were compelled to retire, sup- 
ported by the first brigade, which consisted of the 
first battalion of marines and the artillery, who had 
no cannon. 

That was a terrible battle between the infantry in 
the forest, where the reechoing of the guns, and the 
frequent flashes among the thick clouds of smoke 
seemed like a raging tempest. Not less than five 
hundred men were wounded and killed on both sides ; 
and the dead bodies of the Republicans were found on 
the very bank of the river, to which they had driven 



90 LIFE OF GENERAL GAEIBALDI. 

their enemies. But all this loss was of no use, for 
when the second brigade retired the conflict was sus- 
pended ; then night came on, and the enemy were able 
to complete their passage without interruption. 

Among many brilliant qualities, General Bento 
Gonzales had a kind of indecision, the effect of the 
disasters which had successively befallen him in his 
enterprises. He would have wished that, because a 
brigade of infantry, disproportionately inferior in num- 
bers, had thrown itself upon the enemy, the action 
should be closed by making not only all the infantry 
take part in it, but also the cavalry on foot. 

Such a proceeding might indeed have given him a 
brilliant victory, if by making the enemy lose their 
footing it had thrown them into the river ; and such a 
result might not have been improbable. But the 
general was determined to adventure everything, and 
even the only infantry which the Republicans ever 
possessed. The fact is, that the battle was a real 
disaster to them, as they had not the ability to supply 
the loss of their brave infantry, while the enemy 
chiefly abounded in that kind of forces. 

The enemy remained on the right bank of the 
Taguary, because they were almost wholly masters of 
the country. The Republicans repassed the road to 
Porto Allegro, to recommence the siege of that town. 
The condition of the Republic was now somewhat 
worse. The army recrossed to San Leopoldo, and 
then to Settembrino, and afterwards to Malacara, into 



ENCAMP AT BELLA VISTA. 91 

the old camp. From that place, a few days after, 
they changed their encampment to Bella Vista ; and at 
the same time the General planned an operation, the 
result of which was to restore them to excellent 
positions. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

SAN JOSE DEL NORTE— ITS CAPTURE— ILL CONDUCT— ITS RESULTS—DIS- 
ASTERS OF THE REPUBLICANS— I GO TO SAN SIMON — BIRTH OF MY 
FIRST CHILD— MY SOLITARY JOURNEY TO PROCURE NECESSARY CLOTH- 
ING FOR MY LITTLE FAMILY — TRIALS AND APPREHENSIONS, SAD DIS- 
COVERY PN MY RETURN. 

The enemy, for the purpose of making excursions into 
the country, had partly garrisoned with infantry the 
strong places. San Jose del Norte was in such a sit- 
uation. That place, which stands on the north shore 
of the outlet of the Lake Dos Patos, was one of its 
keys ; and the possession of it would have been suffi- 
cient to change the face of things. The town was 
taken, and the Republican troops gave themselves up 
to pillage and riot. 

In the meantime the Imperialists, having recovered 
from their surprise, assembled in a strong quarter, and 
made head. The Republicans assaulted them and 
were repulsed. The combatants endeavored to re- 
new the attack, but did not meet, or, if they met, they 
were unfit for fighting. Some had damaged their 
muskets by breaking doors, and others had lost their 
flints. The enemy lost no time. A few vessels of war 
lay in the harbor. They took positions and raked the 

(92) 



GOES TO SAN SIMON. 93 

streets occupied by the Republicans, sent to Southern 
Rio Grande for aid, and occupied the only fort which 
they had not taken. The largest fort, called the Em- 
peror's Fort, situated in the centre of the line of for- 
tifications, and which had cost them a great assault, 
w^as rendered useless by a tremendous explosion, which 
killed and wounded a great number. In short, the 
greatest triumph was changed, towards noon, to a 
shameful retreat, almost to a flight. Good men wept 
with anger and disappointment. The loss of the Re- 
publicans was comparatively immense. From that 
time theiv infantry was a mere skeleton. A few cav- 
alry belonj^d to the expedition, and they served as a 
protection on the retreat. The division marched to 
their barracks of Buena Vista, and I remained at San 
Simon with the marine, which was reduced to about 
fifty individuals, iiicluding officers and soldiers. 

My object in staying at that place was to prepare 
some canoes, (boats made of single trees,) and to open 
communications with the other parts of the lake ; but, 
in the months which I spent there, the canoes did not 
make their appearance ; and for the reason that they 
had existed only in idea. Instead of boats, I therefore 
occupied myself with procuring horses, there being an 
abundance of wild ones, which furnished much occu- 
pation to the sailors, who became so many knights, 
though all of them did not manage their steeds with 
superior dexterity. And San Simon is a very beau- 
tiful and spacious place, although at that time de- 



94 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

stroyed and abandoned. It was said to belong to an 
exiled Count San Simon, or his exiled heirs, who had 
left home because of opinions different from those of 
the Republicans. There being no masters there, we 
strangers fed on the cattle and rode the horses. 

At that place our first child was born, on the 10th of 
September, 1 810. The young mother, although so short 
a time before united to her martial husband, had already 
passed through many trials and dangers. After the 
terrible affair with the Brazilian men of war, she had 
accompanied me on the marches, and even in the battles 
described in the preceding pages, and had endured great 
fatigue and hunger, and had several falls from her 
hors.e. During her stay at the house of an inhabitant 
of the place, she received the greatest kindness from 
the family and their neighbors ; and I shall ever enter- 
tain to those who have shown kindness to me, and es- 
pecially to my wife, "Saro reconoscientissimo, a 
quella buona gente, tutta la mia vita" (I shall be most 
thankful to those good people all my life.) It was of 
the highest importance that she had the comforts of 
that house and those friends at that time, for the mis- 
eries suffered by the army then rose to their heiglit, 
and I was absolutely destitute of everything necessary 
for my wife and little son ; and in order to procure 
some clothes, I determined to make a journey to Set- 
tembrina, where I had several friends, particularly the 
kind-hearted Blingini, who would cheerfully supply me 
with some things I wished to procure for them. I ac- 



A SOLITARY JOURNEY. 95 

cordingly set out to cross the inundated fields of that 
part of the province, then all drenched by the rains. 
I travelled day after day in water up to my horse's 
belly, and crossed the Eossa Velha, (an old cultivated 
field,) where I met Captain Massimo, of the Free Lan- 
cers, who treated me like a true and good friend, as he 
was. He was posted for the guard of the Cavalladas. 
I arrived at that place at evening, in a heavy rain, 
and spent the night ; and the next day the storm hav- 
ing increased, the good Captain determined to detain 
me at all hazards, — but I was too much in haste to ac- 
complish my object, to be willing to defer my journey^ 
and I set off again, in spite of every remonstrance, to 
brave the flood. After going a few miles, I heard sev- 
eral musket-shots in the direction of the place I had 
left, which raised some suspicion in my mind, but I 
could only go on. Having reached Settembrina, I 
bought some little articles of clothing, and set out on 
my return towards San Simon. When I had recrossed 
the Eossa Velha, I learned the cause of the firing I 
had heard, and the most melancholy accident which 
liappened on the day of my departurQ. 

Moringue, the man who surprised me at Caraacua, 
had now surprised Captain Massimo, and notwithstand- 
ing a very brave resistance, left him dead, with almost 
all his thirty lancers of the garrison. Most of the 
horses, including the best of them, had been embarked, 
the remaining ones were almost all killed. Moringue 
executed the operation with vessels of war and infant- 



96 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

ry, and then reembarked the infantry, going himself by 
land towards Rio Grande del Norte, alarming all the 
little forces, which, thinking themselves safe, were scat- 
tered about that territory. Among these was my band 
of sailors, who were obliged to take their clubs and 
go into the woods, taking my wife with them, who 
mounted the saddle, to avoid the enemy, with her in- 
fant, then only twelve days old, although it was in the 
midst of the storm. 

On my return I could not find any of my men, or any 
of the friends with whom I had left my family ; but I 
discovered them at length in the edge of a wood, where 
they remained without any certain news of the enemy. 
We went back to San Simon, where I remained some 
time, and then removed my camp to the left bank of 
the Capivari. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

THE RIVER CAPIVARI — MY NEW CAMP — CANOE YOYAGES TO THE 
LAKE DOS PATOS— STATE OF THE REPUBLICAN ARMY DECLINING — 
DEATH OF MY BOSOM FRIEND, ROSETTI— RETREAT — DIFFICULTIES AND 
SUFFERINGS— LOSSES— anna's EXPOSURE— OUR INFANT— KINDNESS 
OF THE SOLDIERS. 

The river Capivari is formed by the confluence of the 
different outlets of numerous lakes which garnish the 
northern border of the Province of Rio Grande, 
between the sea-coast and the eastern side of the 
chain of Espinasso. It received its name from the 
Capivari, a species of amphibious animal, very- 
common in the rivers of South America. We made 
two canoes, and in them made several voyages to the 
western shore of Lake Patos, transporting both men 
and provisions. These voyages we performed from 
the Capivari and the Sangrador de Abreu, one of the 
streams in that vicinity, which is an outlet of a pond, 
connecting it with a lake. 

In the meantime the situation of the Republican 
army grew worse and worse. Every day their neces- 
sities became more pressing, while, at the same time, 
the difficulty of satisfying tliem became greater. The 
two battles of Taguare and Norte had destroyed the 

5 (97) 



98 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

infantry, so that the battalions had become mere skele- 
tons. Prevailing wants produced discontent, and that 
led to desertions. The inhabitants, as usually happens 
in long wars, were wearied, and looked with indiffer- 
ence upon the forces of the two parties. In such a 
state of things the Imperialists made proposals for an 
arrangement which, although advantageous, consider- 
ing the circumstances of the Republicans, were not 
acceptable and not accepted by the most generous 
portion of the enemy. Their rejection much increas- 
ed the discontent of the extreme and disgusted party, 
and finally the abandonment of the siege, and the 
retreat were decisive. The Canabarro division, of 
which the marine formed a part, was to begin the 
movement, and climb the passes of the Serra, occupied 
by General Labattue. Bento Gonzales, with the rest 
of the army, was to march behind, covering the move- 
ments. 

At that time died Rosetti, an irreparable loss to the 
army, and especially to myself. Having been left 
with the Republican garrison of Settembrina, which 
was to march last, he was surprised by the famous 
Maringue ; and that incomparable Italian perished 
fighting bravely. Having fallen from his horse 
wounded, he was called on to surrender, — but he sold 
his life dearly. There is not a spot of ground on 
earth in which do not lie the bones of some generous 
Italian, for whose sake Italy ought never to cease from 
the struggle until free herself. She will feel the want 



DIFFICULTIES AND SUFFERINGS. 99 

of them in the day when she shall rise to drive the 
ravens from the corpses which they devour. 

The retreat was commenced in the worst season, 
among the broken ridges of the mountain, in an almost 
unintermitted rain, and was the most disagreeable 
and terrible which I had ever seen. We had supplied 
ourselves with a few cows, which we brought with 
us, there being no animals among the toilsome paths 
which we were to travel, made impracticable by the 
rains. The numerous rivers were extremely swollen, 
and much of the baggage was carried away by the 
torrents. The troops marched in the rain, and with- 
out food ; encamped without food in the rain. Between 
one river and another, those who were appointed to 
keep near the cows, had meat, but the others were in 
a terrible condition, especially the poor infantry, for 
everything failed them except horse-flesh. There 
were some dreadful scenes. Many women followed 
the army, according to the custom of the country, and 
many children. But few of the latter came out of the 
forest, and some were picked up by the horsemen, one 
of whom, here and there, was fortunate enough to save 
his horse, and with him a poor little creature, left by 
its dead or dying mother, who had fallen a victim to 
hunger, fatigue, and cold. 

Anna was much distressed by the apprehension of 
losing her little son, Menotti, w^ho was saved with 
difficulty, and as if by a miracle. In the most difljcult 
parts of the roaij, and in crossing rivers, I carried 



100 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDL 

my poor little child, then three months old, in a hand- 
kerchief tied round my neck, contriving to keep him 
warm with my breath. Of about a dozen animals — 
horses and mules — with which we entered the woods, 
some of them used for the saddle and some for bag- 
gage, there remained only two horses and two mules. 
The others had tired, and were abandoned. To crown 
our misfortunes, the guides had mistaken the road ; 
and that was one of the reasons which induced us to 
cross the terrible woods of Las Antas. The word 
" Anta'^ signifies a harmless animal, of the size of an 
ass, whose flesh is exquisite, and whose hide serves for 
making many strong and many ornamental articles. 
This animal, however, I never had the fortune to see. 
Although the troops continued to proceed, they could 
not find the end of the piccada ; and I remained in 
the woods, with two tired mules, and sent Anna, 
with her servant and the child, to endeavor to find a 
clear place where they might obtain some food for 
themselves and the animals. The two remaining 
horses, which were used alternately, with the surpris- 
ing courage of the mother, overcame every diificulty. 
She succeeded in getting beyond the piccada, and 
fortunately found some of the soldiers with a fire, a 
very rare thing, and then not always to be obtained, on 
account of the continued rain, and the miserable con- 
dition to which we were all reduced. The men 
warmed some cloths, took the infant and wrapped him 
in them, and thus resuscitated him. The poor mother 



KINDNESS OF THE SOLDIERS. 101 

who had given up almost every hope, of his life, 
took him again and cherished him with the tenderest 
care, while the good-hearted soldiers went to seek for 
some kind of food to restore the exhausted strength 
of the mother. I labored in vain to save the mules. 
Being left alone with them, I cut as many as I could 
of the leaves of the baguara, a species of cane, and 
gave them to eat ; but it was of no use. I was obliged 
to abandon them, and seek to get out of the forest on 
foot, and exceedingly fatigued. 

Nine days after entering it, the last of the division 
barely got through the piccada, and only a very few of 
the horses of the of&cers were saved. The enemy, 
who had preceded us in their flight, had left some 
artillery in the forest of the Antas, which the pursuers 
were unable to transport, for the want of means, and 
they were left buried in certain caverns — who knows 
for how long ? In that woody region the storms 
seemed as if tired out ; for, on getting into the open 
fields of the elevated plain, called the Cima da Serra 
(or top of the ridge), the troops found good weather. 
Some oxen, which were discovered there, afforded 
them a welcome supply of food, and made some 
amends for the sufferings they had passed through. 
They then entered the department of Vaccaria, in 
which they remained several days, waiting for the 
division of Bento Gonzales, which joined them much 
broken, and in a miserable state. The indefatigable 
Maringue, informed of their retreat, had pursued that 



102 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

division and harassed it in every way, aided by the 
mountaineers, who were always decidedly hostile to 
the Republicans. 

All these things gave Labattue as much time as was 
required for his retreat and junction with the Imperial 
army. They arrived, however, almost without men, in 
consequence of desertions occasioned by the severe 
and forced march, and privations, and sufferings 
endured by the other troops. , Beside all these, he had 
an adventure, which deserves to be mentioned here on 
account of its remarkable nature. 

Labattue being obliged to pass in his march through 
the two forests known by the names of the Mattos or 
woods of Portugues and Castellano, met in them 
several tribes of the Bugre Indians, the most sav- 
age in Brazil. These, knowing of the passage of 
the Imperialists, assailed them, laying ambushes in 
different places in the bushes, and did them much 
injury, letting us know, at the same time, that they 
were friends of the Republicans. In accordance 
with this profession, my comrades and I myself ex- 
perienced no inconvenience from them on our march ; 
but we saw the poge^ or holes, carefully covered with 
grass, into which the incautious enemy might fall, 
when the savages would take advantage of his mis- 
fortune and assault him. But all thiese were left open 
where the Republicans were to pass, that we might 
not be exposed to the danger. 

On one of those days I met a woman, who had been 



PROCEED ON THE MARCH. 103 

stolen by the savages in her youth, and profited by the 
opportunity offered by the neighborhood of the troops. 
The poor creature was in a most pitiable state. 

As we had no enemies to fly from or to pursue in those 
lofty regions, we proceeded slowly on our march, 
almost entirely destitute of horses. 



CHAPTER XT. 

HUNTIXa HORSES — CATCHING- WILD COLTS — ENTER THE PKOVINCE OP 
MISSIONES — HEAD-QUARTERS ESTABLISHED AT SAN GABRIEL — LOYE 
FOR MY PARENTS — I TURN CATTLE-DROVER — RESULTS — REACH MON- 
TEVIDEO—TEACH MATHEMATICS — WARLIKE PREPARATIONf) —JOIN THE 
ORIENTAL SQUADRON. 

The corps of Free Lancers, being entirely dtimounted, 
were obliged to supply themselves with wild colts ; and 
it was a fine sight which was presented almost every 
day, to see a multitude of those robust young black 
men, leaping upon the backs of their wild coursers, 
and rushing across the fields like a thunderstorm.. 
The animal used every exertion to gain his freedom 
and to throw off his hated rider ; while the man, with 
admirable dexterity, strength and courage, continued 
to press him with his legs, drawing in his feet against 
his sides like pincers, whip and drive him, until he at 
length tired out the superb son of the desert. 

In that part of America the colt comes from the field 
lassoed, and is saddled, bridled, and rode by the 
domator, or horse-breaker, and in a few days obeys 
the bit. Experienced men obtain many excellent 
horses in a short time ; but few come out well broken 
from the hands of soldiers, especially when they are 

(104) 



ENTER THE PROVINCE OF MISSIONES. 105 

on a march, where neither the necessary conveniences 
can be obtained, nor the necessary care taken to break 
them well. 

Having passed the Mattos Portuguez and Castel- 
lano, we descended into the province of " Missiones,^' 
proceeding towards Cruz Alta, its chief town. It is 
a very small place, but well built, situated on a high 
plain and in a beautiful position ; as fine, indeed, as all 
that part of the State of Eio Grande. The troops 
marched from Cruz Alta to San Gabriel, where the 
head-quarters were established and barracks were con- 
structed for the encampment of the army. I built a 
cottage, and spent some time in it with my little 
family ; but six years of a life of dangers and suffer- 
ings, far from the company of old friends, my father 
and mother, from whom I had no news, among that 
people, isolated by the war with the empire, made me 
wish to return to some place where I might obtain 
information concerning my parents. I now found 
that although, amidst the scenes of bustle and trial 
through which I had passed, I had been able to 
banish the recollection of their affection for a time, 
my love for them remained lively and warm in my 
heart. It was necessary to improve my circumstances, 
for the benefit of my wife and child, and I determined 
to make a journey to Montevideo, even if but for a 
short time. I asked and obtained permission from the 
President, who also allowed me to take a small herd 
of young cattle, to pay the expenses of travelling. 
5^ 



106 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

And here I took up the business of a cattle-drover, 
or trappiere. In an Estancia, called the Corral del 
Piedras, under the authority of the Minister of Fi- 
nance, I succeeded in collecting, in about twenty days, 
about nine hundred cattle, after indescribable fatigue. 
With a still greater degree of labor and weariness they 
were dri^^en towards Montevideo. Thither, however, I 
did not succeed in driving them. Insuperable obsta- 
cles presented themselves on the way, and, more than 
all, the Rio Negro, which crossed it, and in which I 
nearly lost all this capital. From that river, from the 
effects of my inexperience and from the tricks of some 
of my hired assistants for managing the drove of 
animals, I saved about five hundred of the cattle, 
which, by the long journey, scarcity of food and acci- 
dents in crossing streams, were thought unfit to go to 
Montevideo. 

I therefore decided to " cuercer^^ or " leatlier^^ them, — 
that is, to kill them for their hides ; and this was done. 
In fact, after having passed through indescribable 
fatigue and troubles, for about fifty days, I arrived at 
Montevideo with a few hides, the only remains of my 
nine hundred oxen. These I sold for only a few hun- 
dred dollars, which served but scantily to clothe my 
little family. 

In Montevideo I spent some of my time in the house 
of my friend Napoleon Castellani, to whose kindness, 
and the courtesy of his wife, I felt much indebted. 
I acknowledge my obligations also to my dear 



BECOMES A TEACHER. 107 

friends, Giovanni Battista Cimeo and Giovanni Risso. 
Having a family, but my means being exhausted, I felt 
it necessary to provide for the subsistence of the three 
individuals of whom it consisted. Other people's 
bread always seemed to me bitter, whenever in my 
diversified life I have found it necessary to partake of 
it ; and I have been so happy as never to be depend- 
ant on any friend. Two occupations, of small profit, it 
is true, but which would ajfford me a subsistence, I 
assumed for a time. They were those of a broker and 
a teacher of mathematics, given in the house and to 
the pupils of the estimable instructor. Signer Paolo 
Semidei. This manner of life I pursued until I entered 
the Oriental squadron. 

The Rio Grande question was approaching a settle- 
ment, and there was nothing more to be thought on 
that subject. The Oriental Republic soon offered me 
employment, and I accepted it. 

I was appointed to proceed on an expedition, the 
results of which, through either ignorance or malignity, 
proved ruinous. 

With the sloop Constitucion, of eighteen guns, the 
brig Terceira, of two eighteen pounders, and a transport, 
the schooner Procida, I was ordered to proceed to Cor- 
rientes, an allied province, to assist in their military 
operations against the forces of Rosas. 

The Oriental Republic of the Uruguay, like the 
greater part of the Republics of South America, was a 
prey to intestine disputes ; and the occasion then was 



108 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

the pretension of two Generals to the Presidency, viz : 
Rivera and Ouribes. Rivera, being more successful, 
succeeded after several victories, in driving away Ou- 
ribes, and gained possession of the power which he had 
held. The latter, being expelled, took refuge in 
Buenos Ayres, where the Dictator, Rosas, received 
him, together with many Oriental emigrants, and em- 
ployed them against his enemy, who were then under 
the command of General Lavalle. Lavalle being con- 
quered, the ferocious Ex-president of Montevideo un- 
dertook to regain his lost power in his own country. 
In that Rosas found the object most agreeable to his 
wishes ; that is, the destruction of the Unitarians, or 
Centralists, his mortal enemies, who were supported by 
the Oriental State ; and the ruin of a neighboring Re- 
public, his rival, which disputed with him the suprem- 
acy of the immense river, by throwing into her bosom 
the most terrible elements of civil war. 

At the time when I embarked on the river, the Ori- 
ental army was at San Jose de Uruguay, and that of 
Ouribes at La Bajada, the capital of the province 
of Entre Rios, both making preparations for a great 
conflict. The army of Corrientes then made arrange- 
ments for uniting with the Oriental. I was to go up 
the Parana to Corrientes, pass over a distance of more 
than six hundred miles, between two banks occupied by 
the enemy, where I would be unable to anchor, unless 
at islands and desert places. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

ORIGIN OF THE WAR BETWEEN MONTEVIDEO AND BUENOS AYRES.— 
CHARACTER AND CONDUCT OF ROSAS, OURIBES— THE CENTRALISTS, CALL- 
ED UNITARIANS, OPPOSED TO THE REPUBLICANS. 

As has been said, the war in Montevideo was caused 
by the personal ambition of the two generals, Ouribes 
and Rivera, who were aspirants for the Presidency of 
the republic. The former was defeated by the latter, 
about the year 1840, and obliged to emigrate to Bue- 
nos Ayres. 

At that time Rosas, the tyrant of Buenos Ayres, was 
engaged in war with the Centralists, or Unitarians, who 
were the national and liberal party, and were led by Gen- 
erals Lavalle and Paz. Rosas received Ouribes and ma- 
ny of his partizans, and gave them immediate employ- 
ment in his own army, while he conferred the supreme 
command of it upon the emigrant General. Ouribes, 
being able to bring many reinforcements to the tyrant^s 
army, which was already strong, defeated Lavalle, who 
died in the upper provinces of the Argentine Republic? 
(I think Mendoza,) in a surprise. General Paz, by in- 
trigues and dissensions, was obliged to abandon the 
struggle, after the brilliant victory of Caguazii, and 

(109) 



110 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

to return to Montevideo, where the greater part of 
the Centralists who had fought against Rosas had re- 
treated. 

The Argentine Republic being pressed by enemies, 
Ouribes descended towards Montevideo, and estab- 
lished his camp at Bajada, the capital of tlie province of 
Entre-Rios, having under his command an imposing 
army, and meditating with Rosas, the invasion of the 
State of Montevideo. Rivera was then on the left 
bank of the Uruguay, preparing and receiving all the 
forces which he could dispose of, and doubtless ex- 
pecting to be attacked. 

Wise would have been the resolution to await the 
enemy in his own positions ; but, having much confi- 
dence in himself, and strengthened by the junction 
with the army of Corrientes, he made arrangements to 
cross the river, and seek the enemy. The Oriental 
and Corrientes armies amounted to ten thousand men. 
Ouribes had fourteen thousand, and was much superior 
in infantry and artillery. 

The battle was short ; and the combined armies were 
entirely defeated on the Arroyo Grande. Ouribes 
passed the Uruguay, invaded the territory of Montevi- 
deo, and then laid siege to the capital. 

The catastrophe of Arroyo Grande, and the cer- 
tainty that the implacable ex-president would come, 
meditating terrible revenge, stimulated the population 
of the State of Montevideo to take up arms en masse 
and repel tlie invasion by force. It should here be 



DEFEAT AND RETIREMENT OF RIVERA. Ill 

observed, that the war had changed its character, and 
it was no longer a personal consideration in favor of 
Eivera which induced the people to take up arms ; but 
the fear of becoming subject to the depredations and 
excesses of a foreign and barbarous enemy, led them 
to fight for the independence of the country. 

The beginning of patriotism, which then animated 
the people, was the same which led them to so many 
heroic deeds, and to sustain the most desperate of 
struggles, at the cost of unheard of sacrifices. Then 
began the glorious contest carried on by the Montevi- 
deans, which still continues, and which will astonish 
the world, when its events are exactly known. 

General Paz, reduced to Montevideo, after the 
unfortunate occurrences in the Argentine State, was 
received with acclamation by the government and 
people, as general of the nascent army ; and to him 
are certainly due the beginnings of bravery and dis- 
cipline by which it was distinguished, as well as the 
system of defence which was adopted. 

Rivera kept the field, made skilful movements, and 
was defeated by Ouribes at India Muerta. The errors 
of Rivera and his conflicts completed his discredit, and 
entirely removed him from the scene of events. He is 
now an emigrant in Rio Janeiro, and I do not think 
his influence can produce any disturbance on the Rio 
de la Plata. 

' The question of Montevideo, therefore, reduces it- 
self to the following, at the present epoch [1850] : 



112 LIFE OP GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

Rosas, the tyrant of Buenos Ayres, and cliiefly in. 
terested in the humiliation of Montevideo, maintains 
an army in besieging that city, in order to destroy it. 
That army is commanded by a Montevidean, who 
wishes, at any cost, to command in his country ; and 
the people of Montevideo are fighting against that 
army, because they are not willing to submit to the 
hated and abominated domination of Rosas and Ou- 
ribes. 

Indignant at the sight of such a scene of arrogant 
and inhuman oppression as that presented in Buenos 
Ayres and the Argentine Republic, I was impelled to 
present myself in opposition to the Dictator, tind to 
adopt the cause of the injured as my own. Having 
mingled with the people in my own country, and all 
my experience, short as it was, having taught me to 
sympathize with them, against the old and hereditary 
aristocracy of Europe, I could not regard with indif- 
ference the upstart oppressor, Rosas, so treacherous to 
the principles of equality and republicanism, which he 
pretended to love, while violating them, in the grossest 
manner, for his own insatiable ambition. Notwith- 
standing the depressed condition of the true patriot 
party in Montevideo, on my arrival in that city, cir- 
cumstances ere long proved favorable ; and on their 
beginning to renew their movements, I appeared 
among them with my native activity and zeal. 

I conceived the idea of performing an important 
service for my own country, while devoting myself to 



CONDITION OF ITALY. 113 

that in which I was residing. I soon perceived that 
tlie spirit and character of the Italians needed great 
efforts, to raise them from the depressed state in which 
they existed in fact, as well as in the opinion of the 
world ; and I was determined to elevate them, by such 
a practical training as alone could secure the end. 

By means of Napoleon's treachery to the cause of 
liberty, which he had pretended to espouse on entering 
Italy, that unhappy country had been led to a ruin 
more deep and complete than any of the other of his 
victims ; for she had been, more than any other, re- 
duced to spiritual slavery, as well as temporal. The 
allies (with Protestant Prussia and England among 
them,) had restored the papacy along with monarchy 
and aristocracy ; and yet the Italians were vilified as a 
degenerate race, and falsely acccused of having brought 
their misfortunes upon themselves, by their ignorance, 
fanaticism and pusillanimity. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

CONDITION OF THE ITALIANS IN MONTEVIDEO, AND ELSEWHERE — MY 
WISHES AND DESiaNS FOR THEIR BENEFIT — IN COMMAND OF THE 
*' CONSTITUCION " — AT MARTIN GARCIA — A BATTLE WITH THE ENEMY 
— PROVIDENTIAL RESULTS — PROCEED TO BAJADO — AT CERITO — 
ANOTHER FIGHT — CAVALLO-QUATTIA — LOW WATER — JOIN THE RE- 
PUBLICAN FLOTILLA — LABORS AND DIFFICULTIES. 

There were many Italians in Montevideo, whose con- 
dition and feelings I soon learned to appreciate. They 
were regarded with scorn by many of the other for- 
eign residents, especially the French, who were in 
much greater numbers, and seemed to take pleasure in 
humiliating my poor and injured countrymen. 

This was not the first case, though one of the most 
marked and unrighteous, in which the wronged and 
suffering party were made to bear the reproach of 
those very traits of character displayed by their strong 
and false-hearted conquerors. In exile and poverty, 
under the bitter and hourly personal experience of their 
national misfortunes, and reproached by the world 
with having brought them upon themselves, the Ital- 
ians in South America were depressed and disheartened 
by their gloomy recollections, their present sorrows 
and their cloudy future. Many of them were occupying 
themselves with such labors and business as they could 

(114) 



COMMANDS THE '' CONSTITUCION." 115 

find or inventj to obtain the means of subsistence, and 
laying tlie foundations of the fortunes which they have 
since accumulated by industry and economy ; but few 
formed any sanguine expectations of gaining that dis- 
tinction for mxilitary prowess, which the more numer- 
ous and vaunting Frenchmen around them then arro- 
gated to themselves. I, however, ere long, began to 
indulge in more daring anticipations ; and the sequel 
will show the results. 

I resolved to find employment for some of them, and 
to raise the courage and hopes of all, and at the same 
time to prepare them for future service as soldiers in 
Italy, by bringing them into the service which was 
offered to myself. My progress and success will be seen 
in the following chapters. 

On my entering the service of the Oriental Repub- 
lic, I received the command of the sloop of-war " Con- 
stitucion." The Oriental squadron was under the com- 
mand of Colonel Cahe ; the enemy under the orders 
of General Brown. Several battles had taken place, 
but with results of but little consequence. At the 
same time a man named Vidal was appointed Minister 
General of the Republic, — a person of unfortunate and 
despicable memory. One of his first and most fatal 
steps was, to gain the dislike of the squadron, which 
proved highly injurious to its condition, w^hich had 
cost the Republic immense sums, and which, if it had 
been cherished as it might then have been, would have 
established a marked preeminence in the Rio de la 



116 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

Plata, but which was completely ruined, by selling the 
vessels at shamefully low prices. 

I proceeded up the river with the vessels. We had 
an engagement with the batteries of Martin Garcia, 
which are situated near the confluence of the two 
great rivers Parana and Uruguay, near which I had 
to pass, as there was no other channel for large vessels. 
I had several killed and wounded, and passed on. 
Among the dead was the brave Italian officer, Pocaroba, 
whose head was taken off by a cannon shot. 

Three miles beyond Martin Garcia, the Constitucion 
was careened, but unfortunately at a time when the 
tide was falling ; and it cost an immense amount of 
labor to get her afloat again. It was only due to the 
most persevering labor, that the flotilla was saved from 
being lost in those dangerous circumstances. While 
employed in removing heavy articles on board the 
Procida, the enemy's squadron appeared on the other 
side of the island, approaching under full sail. I was 
thus placed in a terrible condition, — the larger of my 
vessels lying on the sand, and deprived of her heaviest 
guns, which were placed in the Procida ; the Procida 
being in consequence useless ; and no vessel remaining 
except the Terceira, whose brave commander was near 
me with the greater part of his crew, assisting in his 
work. 

In the meantime the enemy moved on proudly, pre- 
senting a superb sight, and hailed by the acclamations 
of the troops on the island, assured of victory, with 



PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE. 117 

seven strong ships of war. But I felt no despair — a 
feeling which I have never known. The cause I have 
never pretended to give. I did not think of my life at 
that moment ; that appeared to me of little value : but 
it seemed that dying would not save honor, and it was 
impossible to fight in my position. Providence ex- 
tended his hand over my destiny, and I desired no 
other. The ship of the Admiral grounded near the 
island ; his pride was humbled, and the Republicans 
were safe. The enemy ^s misfortune redoubled their 
alacrity ; in a few hours the Constitucion was afloat, 
and received her guns and loading. " Misfortunes 
never come single,'^ says the proverb. A very thick 
fog concealed us, and everything we did, from the eyes 
of the enemy ; and favored us greatly, by preventing 
them from knowing which way we went. This was of 
the greatest advantage : for, when the Imperialists got 
their ships under way, being ignorant of the direction 
we had taken, they sailed to pursue us, and went up 
the Uruguay, which we had not entered, and they 
consequently lost many days before they learned our 
course. 

In the meantime I had entered the Parana, under 
cover of the fog and with the favor of the wind. I 
had the direction of the whole operation, and must 
pronounce it one of the most arduous of my life. 
But certainly, in that day, the pleasure afforded by the 
escape from that imminent danger, and tlie solicitude 
caused l)y reflecting on the greatness of the enterprise 



118 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDL 

were embittered by the stupor and disaffection of my 
companions, who until that moment had believed they 
were going to the Uruguay. All declared that they 
were unacquainted with the Parana, and that they re- 
fused all responsibility from that moment. Responsi- 
bility was of little importance to me ; but something 
was to be done in some way or other. After a few 
inquiries, one man confessed that he knew a little of 
the river, but that he was confused by his fears ; how- 
ever, he was soon able to collect himself, and proved 
useful. The wind favoring, we soon arrived near San 
Nicolas, the first town in the Argentine territory, 
which is situated on the right shore of the river. 
There we found a few merchant vessels, which were 
wanted for transports and other service, and, in a 
night expedition with launches, both were obtained. 
An Austrian, named Antonio, who had been trading 
for a long time in the Parana, was among the prison- 
ers, and he rendered important services in the voyage. 
Proceeding up the river, we met with no obstacle 
until we reached Bajada, where was the army of 
Ouribes. I operated in the transit. Some landed to 
find fresh provisions, which consisted chiefly of oxen, 
in which they were opposed by the inhabitants, and 
some troops of cavalry stationed there to guard the 
shore. Several partial engagements took place on 
that account — with some advantages and losses, some- 
times on one side and sometimes on the other — in one 
of which I had the great affliction of losing the brave 



DEATH OF LALBERGA DI LEONE. 119 

Italian officer, Lalberga, di Leone, a youth of surpris- 
ing valor and of most promising genius. Another 
monument, therefore, was demanded for another son 
of the land of misfortune, who, like so many more, had 
hoped to shed his blood for the redemption of his 
country. 

At Bajada, the capital of Entre Rios, where the army 
of Ouribes was stationed, I found the most formidable 
preparations on my arrival ; and a battle seemed at 
first inevitable : but the wind being favorable, and we 
being able to pass* at a considerable distance from the 
enemy's batteries, but little effect was produced by the 
heavy cannonade which was made by them. At Las 
Conchas, a few miles above La Bajada, I effected a 
landing by night, which procured me fourteen oxen, in 
spite of strong opposition made by the enemy. My 
men fought with great bravery. The enemy's artillery 
followed the coast, and profiting by the contrary wind 
and the narrowness of the river, cannonaded us when- 
ever they could. At Cerito, a position on the left bank 
of the stream, they established a battery of six guns. 
The wind was favorable, but light ; and at that point, 
on account of the crookedness of the river, our vessels 
had to sail in face of them, so that it was necessary to 
go about two miles under a battery, which was as if 
suspended over our heads. A resolute battle was 
fought at that place. The greater part of my men 
seemed unable to rise, and did not show themselves. 
The others, at their guns, fought and labored with 



120 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

great alacrity. It should be remembered that the en- 
emy belonged to a party rendered proud by their 
victory, who soon after conquered, at Arroyo Grande, 
the two combined armies of Montevideo and Corrien- 
tes. Every obstacle was overcome with very little 
loss ; and after having stopped all the enemy's fire, and 
dismounted several pieces of artillery, a number of 
merchant vessels, coming from Corrientes and Para- 
guay, which had been placed under the protection of 
the enemy's battery, fell into the power of the Repub- 
licans with very little trouble. Those prizes supplied 
us with provisions and means of all kinds. 

We then proceeded on our arduous voyage up the 
river. The enemy watched us in order to throw obsta- 
cles in our way ; but we arrived at Cavallo-quattia, 
(or the ¥7hite Horse,) where we joined the Argentine 
flotilla, composed of two large launches and a balan- 
dra armed as a war-vessel. We were thus supplied 
with some fresh provisions, so that our condition was 
much improved. We had good and experienced men, 
but a reinforcement was agreeable enough, especially 
in its effects on the habits of our men. Having thus 
proceeded as far as the Brava coast, we were obliged 
to stop on account of the shallow water, the difference 
of which, with the draft of the Constitucion, was four 
palms. These difficulties began to excite some suspi- 
cions in my mind, concerning the final result of the ex- 
pedition. I had no doubt that the enemy would do 
their utmost to defeat it ; for if it should arrive at 



PREPARATIONS FOR A BATTLE. 121 

Corrientes the injury would have been very great to 
the enemy, by the Republicans having command of an 
intermediate part of the river, by holding an interme- 
diate position between the interior provinces, the Par- 
aguay and the capital of the Argentine confederation. 
It would have been a kind of nest of corsairs, to 
infest and destroy the enemy^s commerce. 

The enemy accordingly resorted to every measure for 
our ruin ; and they were greatly favored by the want 
of water in the river, which was altogether unexam- 
pled for half a century, according to the declaration 
of Governor Ferri, of Corrientes. It being impossi- 
ble to proceed further, I determined to put the flotilla 
in the best possible state for resistance. Prom the 
left bank of the Parana, where the depth of water was 
greatest, I drew a line of vessels, beginning with a 
merchant yate^ in which were placed four guns ; the 
Terceira in the middle, and the Constitucion on the 
right wing, thus forming a row, at right angles to the 
shore, and presenting to the enemy all the force pos- 
sible. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE EXEMY APPEAR UNDER GENERAL BROWN — WE FIGHT — LABORS 
AND FATIGUE BY NIGHT — DESERTION — PREPARATIONS TO RENEW 
THE BATTLE — ANOTHER FIGHT— VESSELS BURNED— LANDING IN SMALL 
BOATS — LAND TRAVEL — TREATMENT BY THE INHABITANTS — TRAV- 
ERSE THE PROVINCE OF CORRIENTES — REACH SAN FRANCISCO — 
NOTICE OF THE BATTLE OF ARROYO GRANDE, DEC. 6, 1842 — SENT 
BY GEN. AGUYAR TO VESBILLES WITH THE VESSELS — STRANGE 
PRESENTIMENT — CATCHING HORSES — BAD NEWS. 

This arrangement cost much labor, in consequence 
of the current, which, although small, in that open 
place, required the use of all the chains and cables to 
anchor the vessels, especially the Constitucion, the heavi- 
est of all. These labors were not terminated when the 
enemy made their appearance with seven vessels, a 
superior force, and in a situation where they could re- 
ceive reinforcements and supplies of every kind. The 
Republican flotilla, on the contrary, was far from Cor- 
rientes, the only part of the country from which they 
could obtain assistance, and where it was almost cer- 
tain no aid would be received, as the result proved to 
be too true. It was thought necessary, however, to 
fight, at least for the honor of arms ; and an engage- 
ment ensued. 

The enemy, under the command of General Brown, 

(122) 



A BATTLE. 123 



who enjoyed the highest reputation as a maritime offi- 
cer in South America, and justly, too, proceeded in all 
the confidence of their power. They had a favorable 
wind though a light one, keeping along the left 
bank, the right being impracticable. As I had com- 
mand of the left bank, on which rested the left flank 
of his line, I landed part of my soldiers and sailors, to 
dispute the enemy's advance, inch by inch. The Re- 
publicans fought bravely, and greatly retarded the en- 
emy^s advance ; but the superior force of the latter 
prevailed, and the former were driven under the pro- 
tection of their vessels. Major Pedro Rodriguez, who 
commanded our force on land, fought that day with all 
imaginable skill and valor. He placed the outposts 
towards evening ; and thus they remained through the 
whole night, both parties preparing for battle on the 
following day. 

The sun had not risen on the 16th of June, when the 
enemy began a cannonade, with all the force which they 
had been laboring to bring to the front in the night. 
The battle was then commenced ; and it continued 
without interruption till nightfall, being sustained on 
both sides with great resolution. The first victim 
on board the Constitucion was again an Italian officer, 
of great bravery and of the highest promise, Guiseppe 
Barzone ; and I regretted that I could not take charge 
of his remains, in consequence of the fury of the con- 
test. Much damage was done on both sides. . The 
Republican vessels were riddled and shattered. The 



124 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

corvette, in consequence of not having her shot-holes 
accurately stopped, leaked so much that she could not 
be kept afloat without great difficulty, the pumps being 
at work without cessation. The commandant of the 
Terceira had been killed in a most daring enterprise 
by land against the enemy's vessels. In him I lost my 
best and bravest companion. The killed were numer- 
ous, and still more the wounded. The remaining time 
I was constantly occupied on account of the sinking 
condition of the vessels. However, there were still 
powder and shot on board, and we must fight — ' 
not for victory, not to save ourselves, but for honor. 
Some men laugh at the honors of a soldier ; but Ital- 
ians have given strong proof of the existence and 
power of such a principle in their breasts, particu- 
larly in other places and at a later period than that to 
which wo are now attending, especially when Rome 
was surrounded by the armies of four nations, in 1849, 
and long defended herself. Those who scoff at the 
idea of honor in an honest soldier who fights for his 
friends and country, can too often show base respect 
for men who abuse and assassinate their fellow-beings, 
or who claim to be the supporters of their political or 
religious opinions, ' though they may be monsters in 
cruelty or infamous in vice, especially if surrounded 
with the power of the great or the splendor of 
courts. 

We fought for honor, although six hundred miles dis- 
tant from Montevideo, with enemies from all quarters, 



\ 



LABORS BY NIGHT. 125 

after a series of battles, privations and misfortunes, 
and almost sure of losing everything. In the mean- 
time Vidal, the minister of war of the Republic, 
squandered doubloons to support his splendid banquets, 
in the first capitals of Europe. Such is the honor of 
the world I It is thus that the lives of generous Ital- 
ians are despised and sacrificed, and they are buried in 
a land of exile, in the continent of their countryman, 
Columbus, or in other regions of the earth. Such was 
Castelli, who was beheaded at Buenos Ayres ; Borso 
di Carminati, shot in Spain ; — and this, although they 
were superior men, and had rendered great services to 
ungrateful foreigners. 

Their sympathy those foreigners have shown for thee, 
Italy ! when thy aged and venerable head was raised 
for a moment in Rome, from the lethargy 'of oppro- 
brium in which thy oppressors had conspired to hold 
thee, thou Mother, Instructress and Mistress of Nations ! 
When thou once more shalt rouse thyself, they will 
tremble at the defeat of their united powers, combined 
in the league of Hell, to oppress and degrade thee. 
Be great, then, once more, Italy! and then the 
powerful voice of the Almighty will be heard by 
all thy sons ; and the hungry and cowardly vultures 
which destroy thee, will be stunned by its thundering 
sound. 

On the night of the 16th all my men were occupied 
in preparing cartridges, whicli Averc almost entirely 
exhausted, and in cutting up chains to sup[>ly tlio 



/ 



126 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDL 

^yant of balls, and in the incessant pumping of the 
leaky vessels. Manuel Eodriguez, the same Cata- 
lonian officer who had been saved -with me from ship- 
wreck on the coast of Santa Caterina, was occupied, 
with a few of the best, in fitting up several merchant 
vessels as fireships, with the greatest possible quantity 
of combustibles, and directing them towards the 
enemy. That expedient incommoded them during the 
night, but did not produce the effect desired ; the 
chief defect of the Republicans being the extreme 
scarcity of men. Between the various mishaps of that 
dreadful night, that which most afflicted me was the 
defection of the little squadron of Corrientes. Villegas, 
the commandant, like many others whom I have seen 
bold in a calm, became so much terrified by {tpproach- 
ing danger, that it was impossible to make him useful 
in any way to the allied vessels, although they were 
manned with good sailors, and fitted for any kind of 
service on the river, by their swiftness. Seeing Vil- 
legas not quite self-possessed, I ordered him to take 
his place behind the line of battle, where I had placed 
the hospital — a small vessel destined to that use. 
Towards evening he sent me word that he had changed 
his position to a short distance, for what motive I 
could not imagine. Needing his cooperation in the 
work of the fireships, I sent for Villegas in the night, 
and received the alarming news that he was nowhere 
to be found. Not being willing to tliink him capable 
of so much treachery, I went myself in a light palls- 



RENEWAL OF THE BATTLE. 127 

chermo, to satisfy myself of the truth. Not findiug 
him, I proceeded several miles towards Corrientes, but 
in vain ; and I returned, in bitterness of soul. My 
fears were unhappily too well founded, for most of 
the little vessels were destroyed in the service before 
the engagement began. I had counted on the Cor- 
rentine vessels to receive the wounded and to contain 
the provisions necessary for all, as we were still far 
distant from the inhabited frontier of Corrientes. 
My last hope was now lost, by a cowardly retreat, 
which is the greatest of crimes when committed in the 
moment of danger. 

I returned on board my vessel a short time before day- 
break. A fight was inevitable, but I saw nothing around 
me but men lying down overcome with fatigue, and 
heard no sound except the lamentations of the unfortu- 
nate wounded, who had not yet been transported to the 
hospital. Being now unable to wait any longer, I 
gave the signal and ordered the men to their stations. 
I gave the orders and spoke a few words of comfort 
and encouragement, which were not in vain, as I 
found my companions, although spent with fatigue, 
with spirit remaining which could yet be excited. They 
replied with a general cry for battle, and every man 
was immediately at his post. The engagement was 
recommenced when it was hardly light ; but, if the 
advantage appeared to be on our side in the previous 
affair, we now decidedly had the worst. The new 
cartridges had been made of bad powder ; we had 



128 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDL 

used all the balls of proper size for the calibre of the 
guns, and those we now had were smaller, and, there- 
fore, in going out, did much injury to the pieces, which 
had before done such service against the enemy. The 
latter observed the weakness of our fire, and being 
then informed of our condition by some deserters, 
showed great joy, while their vessels, which were 
unable the day preceding to form a line, now effected 
it in security. Thus the condition and prospects of 
the Republicans were growing worse and worse, while 
those of their enemies every moment improved. At 
length a retreat became necessary, not with the 
vessels, for it was impossible to move them from their 
positions, in consequence of their broken condition, 
the want of water^ and the miserable state of the 
crews. Nothing could be hoped for but the saving of 
their lives. I therefore gave orders for landing, in a 
few small boats which remained, the wounded, the 
arms, the little ammunition left, and all the provisions 
which they were able to take. In tlie meantime the 
fight continued ; although on our part but very 
feebly, but with redoubled vigor by the victorious 
enemy. 

The matches were then prepared, and the firemen 
stood ready to burn the vessels. All was ready ; and, 
with the few men remaining with me, I got into the 
boats. The enemy, on discovering our preparations 
for debarking, naturally inferred our design of re- 
treating, and put all their infantry on the march, to 



BURNING OF THE FLOTILLA. 129 



attack us. I was not disposed to meet them, with 
such inequality of numbers and arms, and in the con- 
dition of the enemy^s infantry. Besides, an open 
river Avas to be crossed. But the burning of the 
yessels, by the Santa Barbara operation, blowing-up, 
was performed in a terrible manner, and gave the 
enemy clear notice of our movements. 

The scene presented by the burning flotilla was very 
striking. The river lay as clear as crystal ; and the 
burning cinders fell on both its banks, while a ter- 
rible noise of explosions was continually heard. 

Towards evening, in our little boats, we approached 
the River Espinillo, and encamped on its right bank. 
During the voyage to Esquina, the first town in Corri- 
entes, we spent three days, proceeding very painfully 
among islands and ponds, and reduced to one ration a 
day, consisting of a single biscuit, without anything 
else to eat. On reaching Esquina, our condition was 
considerably improved ; the wounded were placed 
under shelter ; and the men had meat in abundance. 
The inhabitants, who were good Republicans, showed 
us the greatest hospitality. 

We spent some months in the Province of Corri- 
entes, without the occurrence of anything important. 
At length the Governor formed a plan to arm a 
flotilla of small vessels ; but succeeded in nothing but 
losing time. I then received orders from Montevideo 
to march to the scene of revolution in San Francisco, 
in Uruguay, and phxcc myself and my forces at the dis- 



180 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

position of General Rivera, who was stationed with 
an army in that neighborhood. 

I then traversed the entire territory of Corrientes, 
from Santa Lucia to the Pass of Higos, on the Uru- 
guay. Going through the Pass, we arrived at San 
Francisco, partly by the river and partly by land. At 
the Falls I had the pleasure of meeting Anzani, then 
transformed into a merchant. Having reached San 
Francisco, I there found several vessels of war, of 
which I took the command. General Rivera had 
gone into Entre Rios, with the army, where the army 
of Corrientes was to meet him, and go to attack that 
of Ouribes. On the 6th of December, 1842, occurred, 
at Arroyo Grande, the celebrated battle in which the 
nation fought for their sacred rights ; but the power 
of a tyrant triumphed. Different circumstances led to 
this result, which would require much time to give in 
detail : but the chief cause was the discord fomented 
by the ambition of a few, which plunged all into dis- 
aster, and exposed them to extermination by an 
implacable conqueror. Oh, virtuous and generous 
people ! The same fortune befel Italy at a later day, 
which was suffered by the provinces of La Plata, and 
brought about by the same cause, which was sent by 
Heaven in wrath. 

At San Francisco, where I found General Aguyar 
staying on account of his health, I remained only a 
short time, when I received orders from him to collect 
all the disposable forces, and a few hundred militia^ 



STRANGE PRESENTIMENT. 131 

called Aguerridos, commanded by Colonel Guerra, 
and march to the Pass of Vessilles, to cooperate 
actively with the enemy. I reached that place with 
the vessels, and there found the remains of the army^s 
residence, but not a single person. I sent scouts, to 
search the surrounding country ; but discovered 
nothing ! That day was the fatal sixth of December ; 
and every man had been called to the field of battle, 
which was decided at the distance of eighteen miles 
from the spot, on the bank of the Arroyo Grande. 
There sometimes seems to be something in the depths 
of our minds superior to understanding ; at least so it 
seemed to me on that occasion. Without pretending 
to explain it, I thought I felt its effects ; which, 
although in a confused manner, seemed something like 
looking into the future. 

On that day I felt a solemn impression on my heart, 
mingled with bitterness, like the feelings of warriors 
left languishing on a field of battle, and trampled on 
by the insolent soldier, by the hoof of the war-horse of 
the cruel, the implacable conqueror. Very few were 
saved from that terrible battle ; and the whole band, 
with me, experienced feelings difficult to describe, in- 
deed, quite unspeakable. Sadness was mingled with 
a prevailing presentiment of disaster. Not being able 
to find any living being who could give information 
of the army, and having no orders from General 
Aguyar, I resolved to land all the troops, leaving only 
a small number in the boats, and to march in search of 



132 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

the army. It should be remarked, that I always 
pursued my favorite system of the Eio Grande, and 
never marched without a contingent of cavalry, taken 
from my amphibious companions in misfortune, men 
who had been thrown out of the cavalry of the army, 
for some fault or perhaps some crime, but who fought 
well, and whom I severely punished when they de- 
served it. 

Although no human beings were to be found in that 
region, we caught a number of horses which had been 
abandoned, and obtained a suflBcient supply for the 
service. The abundance of horses in those countries 
greatly facilitates such an operation. All things were 
soon ready ; and I was on the point of giving the 
order for marching, when, well for me, an order was 
received from General Aguiar, recalling me to San 
Francisco. But for this, I and my troops would 
doubtless have fallen victims : for the army was so 
completely broken up on that day, that it would have 
been impossible to find anything but the mere wreck 
of it, while we must have met the victorious enemy 
from whom escape would have been very difficult, if 
not impossible. 

The troops, therefore, reembarked, without the ob- 
ject being known even to their commander, and with- 
out obtaining any news whatever of the events of 
the day. On reaching San Francisco, I received a 
note from Colonel Esteves, beginning with the follow- 
ing terrible words : 



BAD NEWS. 133 



" Our army has suffered a reverse /*' 

General Aguiar had marched along the left bank 

of the Uruguay, to collect the fugitives, and re(iuested 

me to stay in San Francisco, to guard thf great 

quantity of materials of every kind remaining there. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

PUBLIC DISMAY — ENTHUSIASM OF THE PEOPLE RISING — I RETURN TO 
MONTEVIDEO— OURIYES COMING TO BESIEGE IT — PREPARATIONS FOR 
DEFENCE — GENERAL PAZ — I AM ORDERED TO COLLECT A FLOTILLA — 
A FORTUNATE ACGIIDENT. 

In the period which elapsed between the battle of 
Arroyo Grande and the beginning of the siege of 
Montevideo, that confusion prevailed which is common 
in such cases, when plans are by turns formed, rejected, 
and again adopted. Fear, desertion, and irresolution 
existed ; but they were found only in rare and in- 
dividual cases. The people stood firm and heroic, at 
the voice of noble-hearted men, who proclaimed that 
the Republic was in danger, and called upon all to 
rise in its defence. In a short time there was a new 
army, which, although neither so large nor so well dis- 
ciplined as the former, was, at least, more full of energy 
and enthusiasm, and more strongly impressed with the 
sacred cause which impelled them. It was no longer 
the cause of a single man which stimulated the multi- 
tude : the star of that man had sunk in the late battle^ 
and in vain endeavored again to rise. It was the 
cause of the nation, in the presence of which personal 
hatred and dissention were silenced. Foreigners were 
preparing to invade the territory of the Republic ; and 

(134) 



ENTHUSIASM OF THE PEOPLE. 135 

every citizen came out with arms and horses, to range 
himself under the banner, to repel him. The danger 
increased, and with it the zeal and devotion of that 
generous people. Not a single voice was heard to 
utter the word '' submission," or '• accommodation." 
Since the battle of No vara, in Piedmont, I could never 
compare my countrymen with the Montevideans without 
blushing. However, all Italy desired not to submit to 
foreign dominion, but panted for battle ; and I am con- 
vinced that Italians, like Montevideans, possess con- 
stancy and generous devotion to liberty. But they 
have so many and such powerful influences to keep 
them enslaved ! 

I had then orders to sink the small vessels in 
the channel of the river, by which the enemy's fleet 
could come up. The larger vessels of the patriot 
flotilla were then not to be sunk, but to be burned ; I 
was therefore soon engaged in burning a third fleet , 
but this was not to be done, as on the two former oc- 
casions, while fighting, my sailors having, consequently, 
once more been transformed into foot soldiers, I re- 
mained with them a few days in San Francisco, to 
allow time to ship for Montevideo the remaining 
materials of the army ; and we then set off on the 
march for the capital, in the neighborhood of which 
all the forces were to be collected. Little or nothing 
of importance occurred on the journey, except my 
acquaintance with General Pacheco, then a Colonel in 
Mercedes. That illustrious Oriental commenced, at 



136 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

that dangerous crisis, to display a noble superiority in 
energy, courage, and capacity. He, beyond all ques- 
tion, was the principal champion of the gigantic 
struggle sustained by his country against foreign 
invasion ; a struggle which will serve as an example 
to future generations, and to all nations who are not 
willing to submit to force ; and may God protect 
the Oriental people ! 

Montevideo presented, at that time, a surprising 
spectacle. Ourives had conquered, and was advanc- 
ing at the head of an army, which had passed through 
the Argentine provinces like a tempest, or rather like a 
thunderbolt. At the Coriolano of Montevideo, neither 
the prostrations of the priests would have availed, nor 
the tears of wives or mothers, to soften the hearts of 
the soldiers. The idea of chastising that city, which 
had driven him away, and seen him fly, gratified the 
soul of that atrocious man. The army of Montevideo 
had been destroyed, and nothing of it remained except 
small and disheartened fragments of forces, scattered 
over the territory of the Republic. The squadrons 
were cut in pieces, arms and ammunition were very 
scarce, or entirely wanting, and the treasury ! It is 
only necessary to imagine it in the hands of such 
men as Vidal, intent on nothing but on getting doub- 
loons, as the most portable kind of money for a 
meditated flight. He was Minister General. 

It was, however, necessary to defend themselves. 
There were many men belonging to Rivera's party for 



DEFENCE OF MONTEVIDEO. 137 

whom there was no escape after the arrival of the otheris, 
and for whom the defence was an indispensable con- 
dition. But they were powerless and trembling, being 
bound to their emplojanents and property. Yet the 
nation, the people, did not regard Ourives as the 
antagonist of Rivera, but as the head of a foreign 
army, which he led on for invasion, slavery and death ; 
and they ran to the defence with a feeling of their 
rights. In a short time the army, in companies of 
cavalry, was made new. An army, chiefly consisting 
of infantry, was organized in Montevideo, to support 
the capital, and under the auspices of that man of 
victories, General Paz. That General Paz, whom envy, 
but no good cause at all, had driven from the command, 
replied to the call of his country in a time of danger, 
appeared at the head of the forces of the capital, and 
organized, with recruits and freemen, then emancipated 
by the Republic, that army which, for seven years, was 
the bulwark of the country, and still maintains itself 
in the presence of the most powerful enemy in South 
America. 

Many leaders, forgotten and not fond of wars in 
which only individual interests were engaged, made 
their appearance in the files of the defenders, and 
increased the enthusiasm and confidence of the troops. 
A line of fortifications was to be drawn around the city 
towards the accessible part from the country, and they 
labored with alacrity until it was completed. Before the 
enemy^s approach, manufactories of arms and ammu- 



138 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

nition, foundries of cannon, shops for making clothes 
and accoutrements for soldiers, all sprang up at once, 
as if by a miracle. Cannons, which, from the days of 
the Spaniards, had been judged useless, and placed as 
guards at the borders of the sidewalks in the streets, 
were dug out and mounted for defence. 

I was appointed to organize a flotilla, for which 
several small vessels were chosen. A favorable inci- 
dent proved very valuable to me, by enabling me to 
coxamence that armament. The enemy's brig Oscar, 
in sailing at night in the neighborhood of the coast, 
ran upon the point of the Cerro. That is the name 
of a mountain west of Montevideo, which forms, with 
its base, the western side of the harbor. In spite of 
every effort made by the enemy to get the vessel afloat, 
they were obliged to abandon her. We profited much 
by that shipwreck. From the first the enemy 
endeavored to prevent our saving her, and sent the 
sloop of war Palmar to cannonade us ; but not obtain- 
ing much advantage from this, and the Republicans 
showing much obstinacy in seizing their prey, they 
soon left them at liberty to pursue their work. 

Among the numerous objects removed from the 
wreck, were five cannons, which served to arm three 
small vessels, the first in the new flotilla, and which 
were immediately put to use in covering the left flank 
of the line of fortifications. I regarded the loss of the 
Oscar as a good augury of the terrible defeat which 
was preparing. 



CHAPTER XX. 

THE ENEMY REACH MONTEVIDEO— GEN. RIYERA'S MOVEMENT ON THEIR 
LEFT FLANK — GEN. PAZ COMMANDS IN THE CITY — SERVICES BY THE 
FRENCH AND ITALIAN CORPS — TREACHERY — MISMANAGEMENT — GEN. 
PACHECO CORRECTS IT—ATTACK ON THE BESIEGERS— ITALIAN 
LEGION DISTINGUISHED— ANZANI — SERVICES OF THE FLOTILLA — A 
PROVIDENTIAL EVENT — COMMODORE PURVIS— BRITISH INTERVENTION 
—NEGOTIATION. 

It was now the 16th of February, 1843. The fortifi- 
cations of the city had hardly had time to be com- 
pleted, and to allow a few cannons to be placed, when 
the enemy's army made its appearance on the sur- 
rounding heights. General Rivera, at the head of the 
cavalry, although not strong enough to be able to 
fight them, had gone out and taken the field, turning 
the left flank of the enemy, and placing himself in 
their rear. That manoeuvre, performed in a masterly 
manner, placed him again in a state to carry on the 
war with advantage. General Paz remained in com- 
mand of the forces in the capital, which were numer- 
ous compared with the extent of wall which was to be 
defended. If, however, we regard the materials of 
which they were composed, who were raw recruits, 
and the pernicious elements at work, they could not be 

(139) 



140 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

considered powerful. The coiistanc}' of the General, 
however, w^as displaj^ed to the utmost, who sustained 
with them the first and most dangerous battles of tlie 
siege ; and notwithstanding the generous spirit dis- 
plaj^ed by the people, there was no want of disturbers, 
cowards, and traitors. Vidal, then the Minister- 
General, had robbed the treasury, and run away. 
Antuiia, colonel of a corps, and head of the police, 
deserted to the enemy, with many other civil and 
military officers. A corps, called Aguerridos, com- 
posed of foreigners hired by the Republic, in various 
affairs, had almost entirely deserted ; and one night, 
when they occupied an advanced post, by their 
treachery they greatly exposed the security of the 
city. Such examples also were imitated by single in- 
dividuals, who, from various motives, abandoned the 
files of the defenders, to pass over to the enemy. 

Affairs did not go on well at first. I never knew 
why Ourives, who must have been well acquainted 
with occurrences, did not take advantage of such dis- 
trust and the bad state of the fortifications, to make a 
vigorous attack upon the place. He did nothing but 
make reconnaissances and false attacks by night. In 
the meantime foreign legions w^ere organized and 
armed. In whatever way the spirit of the French and 
Italian legions may be viewed, it must not be denied 
that the first call to arms was answered by a generous 
rising, to repel the invasion of their adopted country : 
but afterwards individuals were introduced, wdiose in- 



THE FRENCH AND ITALIAN LEGIONS. 141 

terested views were quite on the contrary side. The 
organizing and arming of those corps, however, cer- 
tainly availed in securing the safety of the city. The 
French, being more numerous and more excited by 
military display, soon had two thousand six hundred 
men under arms. The Italians assembled, in number 
five hundred ; and, although they might seem few in 
proportion to the number in the country, and their 
education, I was surprised at seeing so many, con- 
sidering their habits. They were afterwards in- 
creased, but never exceeded seven hundred. 

General Paz, profiting by the increase of forces, 
established an exterior line, at the distance of a cannon- 
shot beyond the walls. Prom that time the system of 
defence was settled, and the enemy were no more able 
to approach the city. 

While I had charge of the flotilla, with the organ- 
izing of which I was proceeding, Angelo Mancini 
was placed in command of the legion — a man of in- 
famous memory ; and he was accepted. The flotilla 
performed its first service in a sortie ; and, as might 
be supposed, made no favorable figure. Italian bra- 
very was despised, and I consequently burned with 
shame. The Legion was appointed to form part of an 
expedition to the Cerro ; and I was to accompany it. 
General Bauza, an experienced and good soldier, but 
an old man, had the command. He appeared in the 
presence of the enemy, marching and counter-march- 
ing, without accomplishing any effect. It was, 



142 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

perhaps, prudent not to attack an enemy, who, if 
not more numerous, were more experienced and war- 
like. I endeavored to excite the veteran general, but 
in vain, when fortune sent General Pacheco from 
Montevideo, who was then Minister of War. His ap- 
pearance gratified me very much, as I knew him to be 
an enterprising and brave man. We were soon 
acquainted, and I was treated by the new chief with 
confidence and familiarity. I requested leave to 
drive the enemy from a position beyond a ditch, 
which then served as a dividing line to the besiegers. 
He not only assented, but ordered General Bauza to 
support the movement of the Italian Legion. We 
attacked the left wing of the enemy, who fearlessly 
awaited us with a firm front and a terrible volley of 
musketry. But the Italian Legion was victorious 
that day. Although numbers fell wounded, their 
comrades pressed on fearlessly, and at length charged 
with bayonets, when the enemy fled, and were pursued 
to a considerable distance. The centre and right 
were also victorious, and took forty-two prisoners, be- 
sides killed and wounded. 

That action, although of little importance in itself, 
was of very great value in its effects, — greatly strength- 
ening the spirit of the Republican army, and dimin- 
ishing that of the enemy, while it established, from 
that day, the military character of the Italian Legion. 
It was also the precursor of many great deeds per- 
formed by that corps, which was never conquered. 



ARRIVAL OF ANZANI. 143 

The next day the Italian Legion was in the princi- 
pal square of the metropolis, in view of the v/hole 
population, receiving the praises of the Minister of 
War and the acclamations of all the people. The 
impressive words of General Pacheco had resounded 
among the multitude. I had never heard words more 
adapted to rouse a nation. 

The Italian Legion had now fought for the first 
time and by itself, and there was that same Captain 
Giacomo Minuto who was afterwards captain of 
cavalry in Rome, and there received a wound in the 
breast from a ball, and died in consequence of loosen- 
ing the bandages at the news of the entrance of the 
French. 

Major Pedro Rodriguez also displayed much bravery. 

Prom that day until the appearance of Anzani in 
the Legion, I absented myself but little from the corps, 
although engaged at sea most of the time. About 
that period Anzani was at Buenos Ayres, where, 
receiving an invitation from me, he came to Monte- 
video. The acquisition of Anzani to the Legion was 
extremely valuable, especially for instruction and disci- 
pline. Although he was much opposed by Manceni 
and by the second chief, who could not submit to 
acknowledge his superior merit, being perfect in 
military knowledge and direction, he systematized tlie 
corps on as regular a footing as circumstances would 
permit. 

The flotilla, although of little importance, did not 



144 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

fail to be worth something to the defence of the place. 
Posted at the left extremity of the line of defence, it 
not only effectually covered it, but threatened the 
right flank of the enemy wheneyer it attempted an 
attack. It served as a link between the important 
position of the Cerro and the Island of Libertad, by 
greatly facilitating and cooperating in the attempts 
which were continually made upon the right of the 
enemy, wlio were besieging the Cerro. The Island 
of Libertad had been watched by the enemy ^ who laid 
a plan to get possession of it. Their squadron, under 
command of General Brown, was prepared to invade 
it and gain possession. It was determined that 
artillery should be placed upon it, and I transported 
to it two cannon, eighteen pounders. 

About ten at night, that operation having been 
performed, I left the island with a company of my 
countrymen, and returned towards Montevideo. Then 
happened one of those unforeseen and important events 
which, I love to say, are evidently brought about by 
the hand of Providence. The Island of Libertad^ 
placed in advance of the coast of the Cerro at the dis- 
tance of less than a cannon-shot, is less than three miles 
from Montevideo. The wind blew from the South, 
and caused some agitation of the sea in the bay in 
proportion to its force, and especially in that passage 
between tlie island and the mole. I had embarked in 
a launch, purchased by the government, and had with 
me sailors enough to perform the service just executed, 



A NARROW ESCAPE. 145 



and the large lighter in tow, in which the artillery 
had been transported. Between the waves rolling in 
from the south and the weight of the boat, which was 
also exactly square in shape, we proceeded slowly, 
drifting considerably towards the north end of the 
bay, when, all at once, several vessels of war were dis- 
covered to the leeward, and so near that the sentinels 
were heard calling to the men, '' Keep quiet !'' It was 
doubtless the enemy's squadron. 

We wonderfully escaped being captured by them ; 
but the principal cause of our safety was, that the 
small vessels and the boats of the enemy had gone to 
attack the island, and there was nothing left that 
could pursue us. If this had not been the case, we 
should doubtless have been taken : but, more than 
this, the enemy did not fire a shot, though they might 
easily have sunk our little vessels, for fear of alarming 
their troops who had gone to the island, to surprise it. 
But what an escape it appeared to me when I reached 
the mole, and began to hear a terrible discharge of 
musketry on the Island of Libertad ! I immediately 
reported the proceedings to the government, and then 
went on board my little vessels, to prepare them to go 
in aid of the troops on the island. They were only 
about sixty there, not well armed, and with but little 
ammunition. I set sail at dawn of day, with only two 
small vessels, called yates ; tlie third, and only remain- 
ing one of the flotilla, not being fit for use at that 
time. We proceeded, and soon entered between the 
7 



146 LIFE OF GENERAL GAPJBALDL 

Island and the Cerro, uncertain whether the enemy had 
got possession or not in their night attack. But the 
brave Italians, although taken unexpectedly, had fought 
with bravery, and had not only repulsed the enemy, 
but driven them back with much loss ; and the corpses 
of Rosas' soldiers floated about in the waters of the 
harbor several days after. Having sent a skiff to the 
island to ascertain its fate, I soon received welcome 
intelligence of the successful resistance. I speedily 
landed the munitions, and one of my officers with some 
men to serve the guns ; and this had hardly been 
accomplished when the enemy opened their fire, and the 
island replied with its two cannon. I then, with my 
two boats, got to windward of the enemy's vessels, and 
did all I could against them. But the combat was 
unequal in the extreme. I had against me two 
brigan tines and two schooners, and one of the former 
had sixteen guns. The cannons on the island had 
platforms, and were ill-supplied with ammunition, and 
therefore did not fire well, or produce much eJBFect. 
Had they been better provided for, they might have 
done good service. Although the sea was not very 
rough, it was sufficiently so to prevent the guns of my 
two little vessels from firing with precision ; and, in 
short, it seemed impossible that the engagement could 
fail to be to the enemy successful. But once more God 
provided for us ! 

Commodore Purvis, then commander of the British 
station at Montevideo, sent a messenger to Brown, on 



COMMODORE PURVIS INTERPOSES. 147 

account of which he ceased firing. From that moment 
the afifairs turned to negotiation. The enemy's squad- 
ron left the harbor, and the island did not again fall 
into the power of another. Whatever the reasons of 
the Commodore may have been, it is undeniable that 
some degree of chivalrous generosity towards an un- 
fortunate but courageous people entered into the 
sympathies and into the act of the philanthropic son 
of Albion. From that moment Montevideo knew that 
she had in the English Commodore not only a friend, 
but a protector. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

EXPLOITS OF TIIE ITALIAN LEGION DLTIING THE SIEGE— TEES CRUOES — • 
THE PASS OF BO J AD A — THE QUADRADO — GENERAL RIYERA DEFEATED 
AT INDIA MUERTA, BUT WITHOUT DISCOURAGING EFFORTS, INTERVEN- 
TION CONTINUED— AN EXPEDITION IN THE URUGUAY, THE FLO- 
TILLA BEING UNDER MY COMMAND. 

The affair of the island increased the fame and im- 
portance of the arms of the Republic, although its 
favorable result was more due to fortune than to any- 
thing else, and although nothing more was gained by 
defending it. Thus it was, that by insignificant, or at 
least small but successful enterprizes, a cause was fos- 
tered and raised up, which had been considered by 
many as desperate. A patriotic and excellent adminis- 
tration of the government, at the head of which was 
Pacheco; the management of the war by the incompara- 
ble General Paz ; the fearless and powerful support 
given by the people, then purged from their few 
traitors and cowards ; and the arming of the foreign 
Legions, — in short, everything promised a happy result. 
The Italian Legion, whose formation was ridiculed 
by some, and especially by the French, had now ac- 
quired so much fame, that they were envied by the best 
troops. They had never been beaten, though they had 

(U8) 



PASS OF THE BAJADA. 149 

shared in the most difficult enterprizes and most ardu- 
ous battles. 

At Tres Cruces, (the Three Crosses,) where the fear- 
less Colonel Neva, from an excess of courage, had 
fallen within the enemy^s lines, the Legion sustained 
one of those Homeric battles described in history, 
fighting hand to hand, and driving the troops of Ouri- 
ves from their strongest positions, until they brought 
away the dead body of the chief of the line. The 
losses of the Legion on that day were considerable, 
compared with their small numbers, but on that ac- 
count they gained more honor. That success, which 
seemed as if it might exhaust it, on the contrary fos- 
tered it exceedingly. It grew in numbers, with new 
recruits, soldiers of a day, but who fought like veter- 
ans ! Such is the Italian soldier ; such are the sons of 
the despised nation, when struck with the generous 
idea of what is noble. 

At the Pass of the Bajada, on the 24:th of April, was 
one of the most serious conflicts. A corps of the army 
under the command of General Paz, had marched out 
from Montevideo, passed by the right wing of the enemy, 
proceeded along the shore of the north bend of the 
bay to Pantanoso, where, joining the Republican forces 
of the Cerro, he intended to make a decisive blow on 
the enemy^s army, — who were thus drawn out of their 
strong positions of the Cerrito, — to surprise two bat- 
talions, stationed on the shores of that marshy lit- 
tle stream. As that operation was not succesi^fiil 



150 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDL 

in consequence of a want of concert, they were oblig- 
ed to go through the Pass, inYolved in a very sharp 
action. Of the two divisions comprising the corps, 
which were about seven thousand, that which formed 
the rearguard was so much pressed by the enemy, 
that, when recovered from surprise, they endeavored 
to regain their ground. This they would have saved 
with the greatest possible effort, in consequence 
of the extreme difficulty of the place. I command- 
ed the division of the centre ; and the general or- 
dered me to re-pass and support the troops in that 
danger. I obeyed, but, to my surprise, found the bat- 
tle a desperate one. The Republicans were fight- 
ing bravely : but the enemy had surrounded tliem, and 
then occupied a very strong salting establishment, 
(called Saladero,) between us and the rearguard, who 
had exhausted their ammunition. The head of the Ital- 
ian column entered the Saladero, just when the head 
of one of the enemy's columns had entered. Then 
commenced a very warm contest, hand to hand ; and 
finally Italian bravery triumphed. At that place the 
ground was encumbered with dead bodies ; but my 
friends were safe, and the fight proceeded, with advan 
tage to our side. Other corps came in to support 
them, and the retreat was effected in admirable order. 
The French Legion, on that day, going to operate 
simultaneously on the line of the city, was defeated. 

The 28th of March, however, was higlily honora- 
ble to the Republican arms, and to the Italian Legion. 



THE QUADBADO. 151 



The movement was directed by General Pacheco. The 
enemy were besieging the Cerro, under the orders of 
General Nunez, who had shamefully deserted to the 
enemy's files, in the beginning of the siege. They 
showed much boldness, and several times came up 
under the heavy ramparts of the fortress, threaten- 
ing to cut off the communications with the city and 
destroying with musket shots the light-house erected on 
the upper part of the edifices. General Pacheco or- 
dered several corps to be transported to the Cerro, 
among which was the Italian Legion. That movement 
took place during the night ; and at the first light 
it was in ambush in a powder manufactory, half a mile 
from the battery. That edifice, although in ruins, had 
the walls standing, and afforded sufficient space to con- 
tain the entire Italian Legion, though in a somewhat 
confined situation. Skirmishing was commenced, and 
afterwards something more serious. The enemy stood 
boldly against their opponents, and got possession of a 
a strong position called the Quadrado, or the Square, 
at the distance of a short cannon-shot from the 
Powder-house. A number of men had already been 
wounded among the Kepublicans, and, among others, 
Colonel Cajes and Estivao, in my opinion the best of 
the officers. Such was the state of things, when the 
signal was given for the Legion to make a sortie, and 
the conflict became serious, under the command of 
Colonel Carceres, who had cliarge of the force en- 
gaged. I shall always feel proud of having belonged 



152 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALBL 

to tliat handful of brave men, having always seen thera 
on the high road of victory. 

It was proposed to attack the enemy on an emi- 
nence, behind the shelter of a ditch and parapet. The 
space which it was necessary to pass, in order to 
assault it, was unobstructed by any obstacle, and there- 
fore the enterprise was by no means an easy one. But 
the Legion, that day, would have faced fiends, if they 
could have been conjured upon the field ; and they 
marched on against the enemy, without firing a shot 
and without hesitating for a moment, except to throw 
themselves into the Pantanoso, three miles distant from 
the field of battle. Nunez was killed, and many 
prisoners were taken. The Oriental corps, in com- 
pany with the Italians, fought very bravely ; and, though 
the above-mentioned movement was somewhat retarded, 
the order was given to the column on the right to 
advance and place itself between the river and the 
enemy. And certainly not one of the enemy's infantry 
was saved. 

That battle reflects great honor on the skill of 
General Pacheco. 

During the first years of the seige of Montevideo, 
the Italian Legion sustained innumerable conflicts. 
They suffered the loss of many killed and wounded ; 
but in no engagement did they disgrace themselves. 

General Rivera was defeated at India Muerta ; but 
the capital was not conquered with him. The corps 
belonging to it were trained to war by daily fighting, 



ENGLISH AND FRENCH INTERVENTION. 153 

and also gained moral advantage over the besiegers. 
The English and French intervention took place, and 
then all parties anticipated a happy result of the war. 

A project for operations, combined by the govern- 
ment and the admirals of the two allied nations, was 
an expedition in the Uruguay ; and it was placed 
under my command. In the period now past, the 
national flotilla had been increased by the addition of 
several vessels, some of which, were chartered, like the 
first, and others sequestrated from certain enemies of 
the Republic, and others still were prizes made from 
the enemy, who sent their vessels to the Bucco and 
other places on the coast .in possession of the forces of 
Ourives. Then, between the acquisition of the above- 
mentioned vessels, and of two others of the Argentine 
squadron, sequestered by the English and French, and 
placed at tlie disposition of the Oriental government, 
the expedition for the Uruguay was composed of about 
fifteen vessels, the largest of which was the Cagancha, 
a brig of sixteen guns, and the smallest were several 
boats. 

The landing corps was thus composed : the Italian 
Legion of about two hundred men, about two hundred 
Nationals, under command of Colonel Battle, and 
about a hundred cavalry, with two four pounders and 
six horses in all. 
7^' 



CHAPTER XXII. 

THE EXPEDITION PROCEEDS FOR THE URUGUAY — COLOXIA TAKEN BY 
IT — BURNED — PAGE, A SUSPICIOUS FRENCHMAN — MARTIN GARCIA 
TAKEN. 

It was near the close of the year 1845 when the expe- 
dition left Montevideo for the Uruguay, beginning an 
honorable campaign with brilliant but fruitless results, 
for the generous but unfortunate Oriental nation. 
We arrived at Colonia, where the English and French 
squadrons were awaiting us, to assail the city. It 
was not a very arduous enterprise, under the protec- 
tion of the superfluous guns of the vessels. I landed 
with my Legionaries ; and the enemy opposed no resis- 
tance under the walls : but, on getting outside of them, 
they were found ready for battle. The allies then 
debarked, and requested their commanders to support 
me in driving the enemy away. A force of each of 
the two nations accordingly came out for my assistance. 
But the Italians had hardly begun to fight, and obtained 
some advantage, when the allies retired within the city 
walls. The reason for this unexpected movement was 
never explained to me ; but I was com.pelled to follow 
their example, in consequence of the great inferiority 
<of my force compared with that of the enemy. 

(151) 



BURNING OF COLONIA. 155 

When the other party proposed to abandon the city, 
they obliged the inhabitants to evacuate it, and then 
endeavored to give it to the flames. From that time, 
therefore, many of the houses presented the sad spec- 
tacle of the effects of conflagration, the furniture 
having been broken, and everything lying in confusion. 
When the Legion landed, and the Nationals, they had 
immediately followed the enemy who were retreating ; 
and the allies, landing afterwards, occupied the empty 
city, sending out a part of their forces to support 
them. Now it was difficult, between the obstacles pre- 
sented by the ruins and the fire, to maintain the dis- 
cipline necessary to prevent some depredations ; and 
the English and French soldiers, in spite of tlie severe 
injunctions of the Admirals, did not fail to take the 
clothes which were scattered about the streets and in 
the deserted houses. The Italians followed their 
example, and, in spite of every exertion made by me and 
my officers to prevent them, some of them persisted in 
the work for a time ; and I have the mortification of 
acknowledging that I did not entirely succeed in my 
efforts to prevent them. The most important articles 
taken by the Italians, however, were eatables ; and this 
afforded some consolation, as the fact was less dis- 
creditable to my countrymen than if they had chosen 
objects of lasting pecuniary value. I feel also most 
confident in saying, that nothing of that disgraceful 
conduct would have happened, but for the beginning 
made by the allied troops. 



156 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

A Frencliman, named Page, who then resided in 
Montevideo, published a description of the scene of 
plunder. It was said by his contemporaries, that Page 
was a creature of Guizot, sent out as a fiscal, and to 
take account of what happened. I could not ascertain 
whether he was a diplomatic spy or not. It is certain 
that, in consequence of the French sympathy, I Avas 
obliged, on landing on the shore of Colonia, to send 
the men below, as their ship was thundering, with its 
cannon well pointed towards us. We had several men 
wounded, receiving contusions from splinters and frag- 
ments of rock. Besides, Page's elegant ^* Narrative 
of Facts,'' as he entitled a report which he published, 
called the Italian Legion " Condoltreri," a term of con- 
tempt, in his opinion, but which they were farthest 
from deserving. 

In Colonia I and my troops might have cooperated 
in an attack on the city ; but they were sent elsewhere, 
to restore the authority of the Republic on the banks 
of the Uruguay. The Island of Martin Garcia, where 
I arrived before Anzani With a small force, yielded 
wi thout resistance. There I obtained a number of oxen 
and a few horses. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

* 

FIRST MEETINa WITH A '' MAHTRERO" — DESCRIPTION OF HIS HABITS AND 
CHARACTER— ANOTHER MARTRERO, JUAN DE LA CRUZ — THE RIO NE- 
GRO—JOSEPH MUNDELL — THE SEVERITY OF THE ENEMY DROVE THE 
MARTREROS AND PEOPLE TO US. 

At Colonia I met with the first '' Martrero" I ever 
saw. He was named Sivorina, and was one of the re- 
markable men known by that title who belonged to the 
patriot party. The services of that class of brave ad- 
venturers were of great value to that expedition. 

The " Martrcro'^ is a type of independent man. One 
of them often rules over an immense extent of country 
in that part of South America, with the authority of 
a government, yet without laying taxes, or raising 
tribute : but he asks and receives from the inhabitants 
their good will, and what is needful to his wandering 
life. He demands nothing but what is necessary ; and 
his wants are limited. A good horse is the first ele- 
ment of a Martrero. His arms, usually consisting of 
a carbine, a pistol, a sword, and his knife, which are 
his inseparable companions, are things without which 
he would think he could not exist. If it is considered 
that from the ox he obtains the furniture of his saddle; 
the " Mancador,^^ with which to bind his companion to 



158 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

the pasture ; " 3Iancas,^^ to accustom him to remaining 
bound and not to stray ; the '' Bolas,^^ which stop the 
hagual, or wild horse, in the midst of liis fury, and 
throw him down, by entangling his legs : the " LazoJ^ 
not the least useful of his auxiliaries, and which hangs 
perennially on the right haunch of his steed ; and 
finally the meat, which is the only food of the Mar- 
trero ; — if all these are borne in mind, in the forming 
and use of which the knife is indispensable, some idea 
may be conceived of how much he counts on that in- 
strument, which he also employs, with wonderful dex- 
terity, in wounding and cutting the throat of his en- 
emy. The Martrero is the same as the Gauclio of the 
Pampas, and the 3Ionarco de la cucliilla^ {Monarch of 
the Knife^ of the Rio Grande, but more free and inde- 
pendent. He will obey, when the system of govern- 
ment is conformed to his own opinions and sympathies. 
The field and the wood are his halls ; and the ground 
is his bed. To him little appears sufficient. When he 
enters his house, the Martrero there finds one who truly 
loves him, and shares with him his toils and dangers, 
with courage and fortitude equal to his own. Woman 
as tlie more perfect being, appears to me to be natu- 
rally more adventurous and chivalrous than man ; and 
the servile education to which in that country she is 
condemned, probably prevents the examples from being 
more common^ 

Vivorina was the first of the Martreros wlio joined 
my troops : but he was not the best. On the banks of 



MY FIRST MAKTREROS. 159 

the channel of Inferno, the eastern one, between the 
island of Martin Garcia and the continent, he had 
seized a boat, and put his pistol to the breast of its 
master, and compelled him to transport him to the Is- 
land, whither he came and presented himself to me. 
Many other Martreros afterwards came in, and rendered 
much service in the ulterior operations ; but the man 
on whom I love to bestow a high title, and who joined 
to the courage and audacity of a Martrero, the valor, 
integrity and coolness of a good captain, was Juan de 
la Cruz Ledesma, of whom mention will often be 
made in this narrative. 

Juan de la Cruz, with his black head-dress, his eagle 
eyes, noble mien, and beautiful person, was my intrepid 
and faithful companion in that Uruguay expedition, 
which I consider the most brilliant in which I was 
ever engaged ; and he, and Joseph Mundell, equally 
brave and better educated, are impressed upon my 
mind for life. 

In Colonia were assembled Colonel Battle, and the 
Nationals of the garrison. In Martin Garcia w^e had 
left some men, and raised the Republican standard. 
The expedition then continued the voyage along the 
river. Anzani had the vanguard, with some of the 
smaller vessels, and took possession of a number of 
merchantmen under the enemy's flag. We tlius rea- 
ched the Yaguary, a confluent of tlic Rio Negro wdth 
the Uruguay. 

The Rio Negro, which empties into the Uruguay at 



160 LIFE OP GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

that place, forms several islands of considerable size, 
covered with woods and pasture-grounds in ordinary 
times ; but in winter, when the rivers are swollen by 
the rains, they are almost entirely flooded, so that only 
animals are able to live there. The troops, however, 
found enough oxen and some wild horses. The greatesi 
benefit to the expedition there was the landing of the 
horses, and allowing them relief from the evils of the 
voyage. Beyond those islands towards the east, and 
bathed by the Rio Negro on the south, by the Uruguay 
on the north, is the Bincon de las Gallinas, This is a 
part of the main land, of considerable extent, joined 
to the neighboring country by an Isthmus ; and it 
abounded with an immense number of animals, of va- 
rious kinds, not excepting horses. It was, therefore, 
one of the favorite spots of the Martreros. One of my 
first cares was to march, with a part of the landing 
force, and take a position on the shore of the Rincon, 
from which I sent out Vivorina, with Miranda, one 
of his companions, on horseback. They soon met with 
several of the Martreros of the place, who joined the 
expedition, and were soon followed by others ; and, 
from that time, a beginning was made in forming a 
body of cavalry, which increased very fast. Meat was 
abundant ; and in that same night an operation was 
undertaken against a party of the enemy, which had 
the most successful issue. A Lieutenant Gallegos, who 
had accompanied the troops from Montevideo, was in- 
trusted with the command. He surprised the enemy, in 



DISCOVERY OF JUAN DE LA CRUZ. 161 

number about twenty ; but few were able to escape:^ 
and he brought in six prisoners, some of whom were 
wounded. The affair gained for us several horses, 
which were a very important acquisition in our circum- 
stances. 

The system adopted by the enemy was, to send the 
inhabitants into the interior, in order to cut off their 
communications with the troops ; and this induced 
many of those unfortunate people to join us, among 
whom they found a kind reception and a safe retreat, 
in the largest of the islands, to which the soldiers car- 
ried a great number of animals, and chiefly sheep, for 
their subsistence. Thus, in different ways, the expedi- 
tion gained strength and was favored by circum- 
stances, especially by the arrival of Juan de la Cruz, 
whose discovery deserves to be mentioned. 

The Martreros of the Rincon, who were assembled 
with me at the time, informed me that Juan de la Cruz, 
at the head of a few parties of his friends, had fought 
several bands of the enemy on previous days ; but, 
overcome by numbers, had been obliged to scatter his 
men, and take to the woods alone, in the thickest bushes, 
and even to abandon his horse, and to set off in a ca- 
noe, for the most obscure islands of the Uruguay. 
There he was still an object of the chief persecution 
to the enemy, who, after the battle of India Muerta, 
when there were no longer any national corps in the 
country, could pursue the Martreros at their pleasure. 
In such a painful situation was he found at that time ; 



162 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

and I intrusted one Saldana, an old companion of Juan 
de la Cruz, with a few Martreros, to visit his retreat 
and bring him away. The undertaking was successful ; 
and after a few days spent in the search, they found 
him, on an island, in a tree, and his canoe tied at its 
root, floating in the water, it being the time of inun- 
dation, and the little island being flooded. He had so 
placed himself that he could at once have retreated 
into the woods, if enemies had appeared, instead of 
friends. 

The young Italians in the expedition at that time, 
learned a lesson of the life they will be called to lead, 
when they shall sec their country redeemed. Juan de 
la Cruz was an important acquisition to the expedition. 
From that day forward, we had with us all the Martre- 
ros of the surrounding district, and a force of excel- 
lent cavalry, without which little or nothing could have 
been undertaken in those countries. 

The Isla del Biscaino, (or the Island of the Bis- 
cayan,) the largest in the Yaguary, soon became a col- 
ony, peopled by the families which fled from the bar- 
barity of the enemy, and various others, from the cap- 
ital. Many animals were sent over to it, a number of 
horses were left there, and an officer was entrusted 
with the care of everything. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

THE EXPEDITION PROCEEDS — SURPRISE GUALEGUAYECHU — REACH ijujt, 
HERYIDERO — ACCOMPANIED BY AN ENGLISH AND A FRENCH OFFICER 
— A LARGE ESTANCIA, AND ITS NUMEROUS HORSES AND OTHER ANI- 
MALS—I LEAVE THE VESSELS IN CHARGE OF ANZANI— GO WITH THE 
MARTREROS — LA CRUZ AND MUNDELL — ATTACK ON THE HERVIDERO 
— BATTLE OP ARROYO GRANDE. 

The expedition then proceeded by the river, and 
arrived at a place on its banks named Pray Bento, 
where the vessels cast anchor. About eight miles 
below, on the opposite bank, in the Province of Entre 
Eios, is the mouth of the River Gualeguayechu. The 
place is distant about six miles from its mouth. That 
province belonged to the enemy. The expedition was 
in want of horses for the operation ; and good ones 
were to be found in that region, as well as materials 
needed to make clothing for the troops, and other 
necessary articles, with which the province was well 
provided. An expedition was therefore formed, to 
obtain supplies. I went up tlie river further, expressly 
for the purpose of preventing suspicion ; and then, in 
the night, the small vessels and boats embarked the 
Italian Legionaries, and the cavalry with a few horses, 
and proceeded towards the landing-place. At the 
mouth of the little river lived a family, and it was 

[1G3] 



164 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

known that several merchant vessels and a small war- 
vessel were there, w^hich it was necessary to surprise ; 
and this w^as effected. The troops w^ere so successful, 
that they reached the very house of the commandant 
of Gualeguayechu, w^hile he was asleep in his bed. 
The Colonel commandant of the country w^as named 
Villagra. All the authorities, with the National 
Guards, were soon in our hands ; and we garrisoned 
the strongest places with Republican troops. The 
expedition then proceeded to recruit horses and obtain 
other things of the most importance. 

We obtained many excellent horses in Gualeguaye- 
chu, with articles necessary to clothe the men, har- 
nesses for the cavalry, and some money, which was 
distributed among the sailors and soldiers. All the 
prisoners were released at our departure. A party 
of the enemy's cavalry, in garrison in the town, were 
found to be absent, on the arrival of the expedition, 
and returned during our stay. Being seen by the 
sentinels, a few of the best mounted and equipped of 
the cavalry were sent out, and an encounter took 
place, in which the enemy were repulsed. This little 
aflfair greatly encouraged the Republicans, especially 
as it took place in view of all. We had one man 
badly wounded. 

At the mouth of the river was a peninsula, formed 
by it and a small stream, and there was the residence 
of the family before mentioned. The infantry em- 
barked in the small vessels in which they had sailed ; 



THE HERYIDERO. 165 



the cavalry marched by land to the peninsula, leading 
the horses they had taken ; and there they again re- 
mained. The labor of embarking and disembarking 
horses was not new to them ; and in a few days every- 
thing was carried away — some to the island of the 
Biscaino, and some to the other island in the upper 
part of the river, to serve in future operations. 

The expedition then proceeded into the interior, as 
far as Paysandii, with the occurrence of little or 
nothing worthy of notice. In that city was a large 
guard, and the enemy had constructed some batteries 
and sunk a number of vessels, in different parts of the 
channel of the river, to obstruct the passage. All 
obstacles were overcome ; and a few shot in the ves- 
sels, and a few wounded men, were the only conse- 
quences of a heavy cannonade with the batteries. 
Two officers deserved my particular notice : one a 
Frenchman, and the other an Englishman, who com- 
manded two small vessels of war of their nations, and 
accompanied me in almost the whole of that expedi- 
tion, although their instructions were not to fight. 
The English Lieutenant was named Tench ; and he 
remained but a short time ; the French officer was 
Hypolite Marier, commander of the schooner L'Eclair. 
The latter was with me the whole time, and became 
very dear to me, being an officer of great merit. 

We reached Ilervidero, formerly a most beautiful 
establishment, then abandoned and deserted, but still 
very rich in animals, which were highly valuable to the 



166 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

expedition all the time of our stay. That point of 
the Uruguay was named Hervidero, from the Spanish 
word Hervir, which means to hoil ; and indeed it 
looks like a boiling cauldron under all circumstances, 
but especially when the river is low, abounding in 
whirlpools formed by the numerous rocks lying under 
water, over which a very rapid current pours all the 
year. The passage is very dangerous. A very 
spacious house stands on an eminence, built with a 
terrace on the roof, called Azotea, and overlooks all 
the left bank of the river. Around it was a multitude 
of RancJioSj or barracks, with roofs of straw, which 
attested the great number of slaves possessed by the 
masters in more quiet times. When I first approached 
the house, I found herds of the Ganado manso, or 
domestic oxen, near the deserted habitations, in search 
of their exiled masters ; and with them a viajada, or 
flock of sheep, amounting to about forty thousand, 
while the cjanado cuero or alzado, — that is, the wild 
cattle, — of about the same number, were scattered over 
the fields. Besides these there were innumerable 
horses, ginetes and Poledres, chiefly wild, and many 
quadrupeds of various kinds. These few lines may 
give some idea of the aspect of that kind of immense 
estates in South America, called Estancias. 

The Hervidero, however, a Scdadero, or place for 
salting meat for exportation, as well as for preparing 
hides, tallow, and, in short, everything furnished by the 
animals slaughtered in their country. The depth of 



JOSE MUNDELL. 167 



the river did not permit them to take any other in 
larger vessels. Anzani, with the infantry, lodged in 
the establishment, occupying it in a military manner. 
The measures taken were very useful in repressing an 
unexpected attack, arranged between the enemies of 
Entre Rios, under the command of General Garzon, 
and those of the Oriental State, under Colonel Laval- 
leja. That was undertaken while I was not at the 
Hervidero. 

And, in the first place, as for the reason of my 
absence. Among the cares of Juan de la Cruz, was that 
of sending some of his martreros to inform the others, 
who were scattered aloug the left bank of the river, 
and those of the Gueguay, who were quite numerous, 
A certain Magellano, and one Jose Dominguez were 
among the most famous of them all. They were then 
in the neighborhood of the Gueguay. Jose Mun- 
dell had come to that country when a child, and had 
become identified with the inhabitants and accustomed 
to their habits. He had a present of an estancia, one 
of the best in that part of the country. Mundell was 
one of those privileged persons, who seem to have 
come into the world to govern all around them. With 
nothing extraordinary in his physical nature, he was 
strong and active, " a free cavalier,'^ and of a most 
generous disposition ; he had gained the hearts of all, 
on whom he bestowed benefits whenever they Avcre in 
want, thus securing their love and tempering their 
natures. He was above all things adventurous. It 



168 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

may be added that Mundell, although he had spent 
the most of his life in the desert, had, from his own 
taste, cultivated his mind and acquired by study more 
than an ordinary share of information. He had never 
taken any part in political affairs, beyond those con- 
nected with the choice of men for the Presidency, etc. 
But when the foreigners, under the orders of Ourives, 
invaded the territory of the Republic, he regarded 
indifference as a crime, and threw himself into the 
ranks of the defenders. With the influence which he 
had acquired among his brave neighbors, he soon col- 
lected several hundred men, and then sent me word 
that he was going to join me with them. The bold 
fellows, commanded by Juan de la Cruz, had brought 
in that news to the Hervidero ; and I immediately 
resolved to meet with Mundell in the Arroyo Malo, 
about thirty miles below the Salto, or Palls. On the 
first night after my departure the attack was made on 
the Hervidero. Hearing the cannon and musketry 
while I was near Arroyo Malo, I was thrown into the 
greatest anxiety, as was very natural ; but I confided 
much in the capacity of Anzani, whom I had left in 
charge of everything. 

The attack on the Hervidero had been conceived 
and planned in such a manner that, if the execution 
had corresponded, its results must have been fatal. 
Garzon, whose forces were not fewer than two 
• thousand men, most of them infantry, was to have 
approached the right bank of the river, while Laval- 



ATTACK ON THE HERVIDERO. 169 

leja was to attack the Hervidero. In order that they 
might strike at the same moment, they had placed two 
fireships in the Yuy, a small river of Entre Rios, a few 
miles above, intended, if not to burn the flotilla, at 
least to occupy the sailors, and render it impossible 
for them to give any assistance by land. The courage 
and coolness of Anzani, and the bravery of the troops, 
rendered all the efforts of the active enemy unavailing. 
Garzon effected nothing by his steady fire of musketry, 
because it was too distant, and the side of the river's 
bank was commanded by the cannon of the flotilla, 
which opened upon it. The firesliips, being abandoned 
to the current, passed at a distance from the vessels, 
and were destroyed by their guns. Lavalleja pressed 
his troops against the brave Legionaries in vain, they 
being intrenched in the buildings, and terrifying the 
enemy with their silence and proud resistance. 

Anzani had given orders that not a musket should 
be fired, until the enemy were near enough to have 
their clothes burnt by the powder ; and this plan 
succeeded well, for, supposing the houses to have been 
evacuated, they advanced without apprehension : but 
a general discharge of musketry, when close at hand, 
from all quarters, put them immediately to flight, mak- 
ing it impossible to rally again. 

Having arranged with Mundell about his entering 

Salto when occupied by the Republicans, I returned 

to the Hervidero. I received notice, about that time, 

from Colonel Baez, who was making arrangements to 

8 



170 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDL 

join me with some men. The only vessel of the enemy 
stationed in the Yuy deserted to us, with a portion of 
the crew. 

Thus everything smiled on the expedition. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

THE PROVINCE OF CORRIENTES CALLS GEKERAL PAZ FROM MONTEVIDEO 
— ALLIANCE WITH PARAGUAY — I GO TO SALTO WITH THE FLOTILLA, 
TO RELIEVE IT FROM A SIEGE— WITH LA CRUZ AND MUNDELL, ATTACK 
LAVALLEJA — RETURN TO SALTO. 

The Province of Corrientes, after the battle of Arroyo 
Grande, had fallen again under the dominion of Rosas : 
but the admirable resistance of Montevideo, and some 
other favorable circumstances, called the people again 
to independence ; and Madariaga and the principal 
authorities in that revolution had invited General Paz 
from Montevideo, to take command of the army. 
That old and virtuous chief, by his ovi^n fame and 
capacity, induced Paraguay to make an offensive and 
defensive alliance ; and that state collected at Cor- 
rientes a respectable contingent for the army. Things 
thus proceeded wonderfully well for that part of the 
country ; and not the least important object was the 
opening of communications with those interior prov- 
inces, to collect in the Department of Salto the Orien- 
tal emigrants who were in Corrientes and Brazil. I 
then sent from the Hervidero a haleneixt, on a mission 
to General Paz : but, being observed and pursued by 
the enemy, the men in it were obliged to abandon the 

(I7i) 



172 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

boat, and take refuge in the woods. I was obliged to 
repeat the same thing three times ; when at length a 
brave officer of the Italians, Giacomo Casella, taking 
advantage of a strong flood in the river, succeeded in 
overcoming every obstacle, and arrived in the Province 
of Corrientes. During the same flood I arrived at 
Salto with the flotilla. 

The city was governed by Lavalleja, who attacked 
the Hervidero with a force of about three hundred 
men, infantry and cavalry. He had been engaged for 
some days in making the inhabitants evacuate the 
town ; and for them and his troops he formed a camp 
on the left bank of the Capebi, at the distance of 
twenty-one miles from Salto. 

The Republicans took the town, without any resist- 
ance, and designed to make some fortifications. That 
point being occupied, they remained there, but, of 
course, besieged on the land-side, as the enemy were 
superior in cavalry. One of the principal incon- 
veniences which they suffered was the want of meat, 
all the animals having been driven away. But that 
evil did not last long. 

Mundell, having collected about a hundred and fifty 
men, drove back a corps of the enemy who were press- 
ing upon him, and arrived safe at Salto. From that 
moment the Republicans began to make sorties, and to 
bring in animals enough for the subsistence of the 
troops. With MundelFs horsemen, and those of Juan 
de la Cruz, we were able to take the field ; and one 



ATTEMPT UPON THE ENEMY. 173 

fine day we went to seek Lavalleja in his own camp. 
Some deserters from the enemy had given me exact 
information of his position and the number of his 
forces ; and I determined to attack him. One evening 
I drew out two hundred of the cavalry and a hundred 
of the Italian Legionaries, and moved from Salto, 
intending to surprise the enemy before daybreak. My 
guides were the deserters ; and, although they were 
acquainted with the country, yet, as there were no 
roads leading in the direction they took, they got 
astray, and daylight found us at the distance of 
three miles from the camp we were seeking. Per- 
haps it was not prudent to attack an enemy at least 
equal in force, entrenched, and in their own camp, and 
which might receive reinforcements, which they had 
asked for, at any moment ; but to turn back would not 
only have been disgraceful, but would have had 
a very bad effect on the feelings of the new troops. 
I was a little troubled by the idea of retreating, 
and determined to attack. I reached an eminence 
where the enemy had an advance post. They retired ou 
my approach. I could then see their camp, and observed 
several groups returning towards it, from various 
directions. They were detachments which had been 
sent out in the night to different points, to observe the 
Republicans, the enemy having heard of our setting 
out. I then immediately gave orders to Mundell, who 
had the vanguard, to press on a strong body of cavalry, 
to prevent their concentration. 



174 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

The enemy did the same, to repel that movement and 
protect their troops. Mundell, with great bravery, suc- 
ceeded, and drove and dispersed several of their de- 
tachments ; bnt he advanced too far, in the warmth of 
the pursuit, so that his troops soon found themselves 
surrounded by the enemy, who, recovering from their 
first fright, came upon them with their lances, threaten- 
ing to separate them from the main body, which, al- 
though at a distance, was approaching for a battle. In 
the meantime, seeing all this, I at first designed to have 
the whole little force of the Republicans proceed in a 
mass, and give a decisive blow. I therefore hastened 
the march of the infantry, forming the rear guard and 
reserve, with the cavalry of Juan de la Cruz : but 
seeing the position of Mundell, which admitted no 
delay, I left the infantry behind under the command of 
Marrocchetti, and pressed forward the reserve of cav- 
alry in echellons. 

The first echellon, commanded by Gallegas, pushed 
on, and somewhat restored the resistance of the cavalry. 
The charge of Juan de la Cruz drove the enemy back ; 
and they retired towards their camp. I had ordered 
the echellons of the reserve to charge in a compact 
mass, so that Mundell and his men, who had fought 
bravely, might recover their order in a moment. Our 
troops then moved on towards the enemy's camp, in 
order of battle,— the infantry in the centre by platoons, 
and under orders not to fire a shot ; Mundell on the 



A VICTORY. 175 



right, and Juan de la Cruz on the left ; while a small 
echellon of cavalry formed a reserve. 

The enemy^s cavalry, after the first encounter, had 
formed again behind the infantry, who were covered 
by a line of carts ; but the firmness and resolution of 
the Republicans, now marching on in a close body and 
in silence, intimidated them so much that they made but 
little resistance. In a moment the action was over ; 
Oj*, rather, it was not a fight, but a complete discomfiture 
and precipitate flight towards the pass of the river. 
On reaching that point some of the boldest endeavored 
to make a stand ; and they might have been able, but 
it would have been a very arduous task ; although the 
Republican cavalry had halted : for the Legionaries, at 
the command of " Cartridges on the neck !^' threw 
themselves into the water with the greatest fury, and 
there was no more resistance. 

The victory was now complete. All the infantry of 
the enemy were in the power of the conquerors, and some 
of the cavalry, with all the families of the Salto, who 
had been dragged from their homes, and a train contain- 
ing various objects of merchandize, consisting of thir- 
ty-four loaded wagons. Above all, we had captured a 
great number of horses, which were the most valuable 
of all things in our existing circumstances. A brass 
cannon, made in Florence, some ages past, by a certain 
Cenni, fell into our hands. It was the same piece 
which had been fired upon us at the Hervidero ; and 



176 LIFE OF GENERAL GAPJBALDL 

being dismounted on that occasion, was undergoing 
repair in the enemy's camp. After the action, which 
lasted only a few hours, we collected everything use- 
ful, and set off on our return. Our progress to Salto 
was quite a triumphal march. The population poured 
blessings on us from their own houses, to which they 
had been restored by our means ; and the victory ac- 
quired for the army a reputation which was well mer- 
ited, proving that all the three classes of troops were 
able to keep the field. 

Our celerity was of much importance ; for, as has 
already been mentioned, the enemy were in expecta- 
tion of a strong reinforcement ; and that was the en- 
tire force of General Urquiza, which had just before 
been victorious at India Muerta, and was then on the 
march for Corrientes, to fight the army of that prov- 
ince. Vergara, who had the vanguard of it, came in 
sight of Salto the day after our return, and captured 
a few of our horses, which were dispersed in the neigh- 
boring pastures. Being in the presence of those forces, 
which seemed to overwhelm us, we made every exer- 
tion to resist it. 

A battery, marked out by Anzani, in the centre of 
the city, made a progress that was quite astonishing. 
Both soldiers and people worked at it, such houses as 
were adapted to defence were fortified, and every man 
had a post assigned him. Several cannon were lev- 
elled from the boats, and preparations were made to 



URQUIZA^S AERIVAL. 177 

supply the battery. At that time arrived Colonel Baez,* 
with about sixty cavalry. Urquiza soon after pre- 
sented himself, who had assured his friends that he 
would cross the Uruguay at Salto, with the as- 
sistance of the Eepublican flotilla, which he expected 
to capture. But his predicton was not fulfilled. The 
attack by the enemy was simultaneous with his appear- 
ance. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

"DRQUIZA BESIEGES US IN SALTO, WITH ALL HIS FORCES— OUR DE- 
FENCES INCOMPLETE— A SUDDEN ATTxiCK— REPULSED SORTIES — BOLD 
OPERATION ON THE OPPOSITE BANK OF THE RIVER — SURPRISING 
FEATS OP THE HORSEMEN — THEIR HABITS. 

On the east of Salto was a hill, distant a musket shot 
from the j&rst houses ; and it commanded the whole 
town. The Republicans had not fortified it, for the 
want of sufficient force,^as it would be necessary, if 
occupied, to establish a line of fortifications propor- 
tioned to the number of disposable troops. As might 
have been expected, Uiiquiza took possession of the 
hill, and placed on it six pieces of artillery. At the 
same time he sent forward his infantry, at quick step, 
against the Republican right. Just at that moment 
two pieces had been placed in the battery : but there 
was yet neither platform nor parapet ; and the enemy, 
after giving their fire, threw themselves upon the 
ground, which was not even consolidated. The Re- 
publican right was really the most vulnerable, as the 
enemy could reach it under cover, in the hollow of a 
valley. And this they did ; so that the defenders saw 
them appear suddenly, and without warning, from that 
concealment. Immediately the right wing fled, and 

(178) 



REPULSED SORTIES. 179 

those occupying the houses retreated towards the 
river. 

I was then at the battery ; and, in disposing of my 
troops, had reserved a company of the Italian Legion 
at that point. I immediately made one-half of that 
company charge the enemy ; and after them sent the 
second half to do the same. And that duty was exe- 
cuted with so much courage, that the assailants were, 
in their turn, put to a precipitate flight. The com- 
pany of Italians which performed that service was 
under the command of Captain Carone, and its lieu- 
tenants were Ramorino and Zaccarello . 

The enemy were discouraged by their unsuccessful 
attempt, which prevented them from making any deci- 
sive attack, and all their operations were reduced to a 
cannonade. In that kind of fighting, although the 
enemy had come upon the Republicans when ill-pre- 
pared, from the want of time, yet we were able to 
maintain a respectable attitude. I had landed the 
cannon from the vessels, under the orders of their offi- 
cers, viz., Scozini, Cogliolo, and Jose Maria, all of 
them brave and skilful men ; so that the enemy's artil- 
lery, although superior in numbers and position, was 
pretty well opposed, and obliged to be occasionally 
brought under cover of the hill. The enemy left 
several men dead, while the Republicans had only a 
few wounded. The latter, however, lost the greater 
part of their oxen, wliich were in a corral, or in- 
closure ; and, as they were wild, as soon as the gate 



180 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

was opened, they poured out, like a torrent, and 
spread all over the country. 

For three days Urquiza continued his attempts ; but 
every day found the besieged better prepared. Not a 
moment was lost during the night. Five pieces of 
cannon were placed in the battery, the platform was 
finished, the parapet, and the " Santa Barbara," or 
mine for blowing up. A proclamation was circulated 
at that time, signed by Colonel Baez and myself, con- 
demning to death any one who might leave his post ; 
and the smaller vessels were forbidden to come near 
the bank of the river, while all which were there were 
made to draw off. 

At the same time the enemy, seeing that they were 
gaining nothing, adopted a system of blockade, and 
shut up the city on the land side, in the closest man- 
ner. But in that undertaking also they were frus- 
trated ; for we were masters of the river, and could 
bring in all necessary supplies of provisions by that 
water. During tlie eighteen days which the siege 
continued, we were not idle, having to bring in hay 
for the cattle and horses continually ; and, as the 
enemy had formed a circular chain of posts around us, 
we took advantage of moments of inattention, to attack, 
and often with advantage. At length Urquiza be- 
came weary, and perhaps was called away to other 
parts of the Uruguay, by more pressing affairs. He 
withdrew, and marched off, to cross the river above 
Salto. 



,^ ' PLAN TO CAPTURE HORSES. 181 

The two divisions of Lamas and Vergara now re- 
mained to continue the siege, with about seven hun- 
dred cavalry : but from that time the enemy were un- 
able to keep it closely, for the .'Republicans made 
sorties now and then, sometimes bringing in oxen or 
wild horses, and that kept our cavalry in a pretty 
good condition, who had lost almost all their horses, 
in consequence of the strictness of the siege. It is to 
be observed, that the horses of that part of the country 
are not accustomed to eat anything but grass, being 
pastured in the open fields ; and therefore but few are 
fed wdlh hay and grain. 

In those days an operation was performed by the 
Republicans, of a superior kind. Garzon, who had 
been at Concordia, opposite Salto, had marched, to 
unite with Urquiza, for Corrientes, under the orders 
of the latter General ; but a cavalry corps of obser- 
vation remained at Concordia. The sentinels of that 
body were visible from Salto, and their cavalcade^ or 
troop of horses, went every day to the river's bank to 
feed, (probably finding better pasture,) and at night 
returned. A plan was formed to capture those ani- 
mals ; and one day about twenty men prepared, 
naked, and with nothing but their sabres ; while 
a company of Legionaries, divided among the ves- 
sels of the flotilla, waited, ready to embark in the 
boats. About mid-day, w^hen the sun shone hottest, 
the enemy's sentinels were lying on the ground, having 
made a shelter of their ponchos, and were fast asleep. 



182 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

The river, at the place where it was to be crossed, was 
only about five hundred paces wide, and not guard- 
ed. The appointed signal was given, and the cavalry 
soldiers marched from behind their coverts on the 
shore, and threw themselves into the water, while the 
Legionaries leaped into the boats ; and, when the 
sentinels awoke, they heard the bullets of their active 
assailants whistling about their ears ; and the amphi 
bious centaurs pursued them along the hill. 

Only the brave South American cavalry are capable 
of performing such an enterprise. Being excellent 
swimmers, both men and horses, they can cross a river 
several miles wide, the men holding by the tails of 
their animals, or by their manes, and carrying their 
arms and baggage in their pelottas, which are made of 
the curona^ a piece of leather, which forms a part of 
the harness. 

Some of the cavalry remained on the hill, watching 
the enemy, while the others collected their horses 
which were scattered about the pasture, and led them 
to the shore, where they hurried them into the water, 
and got most of them over to the other side. Some 
of the enemy, who resisted, were bound and carried 
across by the vessels. In the meantime the Legion- 
aries exchanged a few shots with the enemy, t^io were 
increasing their numbers, but did not feel strong 
enough to charge them. Thus, in a few hours, more 
than a hundred horses were obtained by the Republi- 
cans, without having a single man wounded. 



HORSES OP ENTRE RIOS. 183 

That affair was a very singular and curious one, 
and performed in full view from Salto. The horses 
of Entre Rios are generally esteemed ; and, for good 
reasons, that capture excited a desire to attack the 
besiegers. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

THE SIEGE OF SALTO CONTINUED — NIGHT ATTACK ON THE ENEMT'S 
CAMP— SUCCESSFUL — GENERAL MEDINA APPROACHING — SEND GEN. 
BAEZ and ANZANI TO MEET HIM— A GREAT SURPRISE — ALMOST OYEK- 
WHELMED BY THE ENEMY — FIGHT TILL NIGHT — RETREAT. 

Vergara, with his division, was pressing the town very 
closely, and some persons acquainted with the country 
were sent to spy his position, which thus became 
known to the defenders. It would have been useless 
to make an attack by day, because it was impos- 
sible to surprise them, and, therefore, it was necessary 
to attack by night. I had given Colonel Baez the 
command of the cavalry, and Anzani was with the 
infantry. They left Salto after nightfall, and took the 
direction towards the enemy's camp, situated about 
eight miles off. Although the march of the troops was 
as silent and as cautious as possible, they were heard 
by the advanced sentinels, and therefore Vergara had 
time to mount his horse. The assault was made with- 
out loss of time, but only the cavalry of the Republi- 
cans were able to fight, as the infantry, in spite of all 
their exertions, could not reach the field of battle in 
season. The enemy fought with spirit, but at the cry 
of " The infantry !'' which was raised at a favorable 

(184) 



APPROACH OF GENERAL MEDINA. 185 

moment, they gave ground, and then broke their nmks 
and took to flight. They were pursued several miles, 
but, on account of the darkness, little was effected. 
A few prisoners were made and some horses taken, 
while there were a small number of killed and wound- 
ed on both sides. When daylight appeared, it was 
difficult to find the field of battle, as the fighting had 
been done on the march. Several groups of the 
enemy appeared, scattered on the distant hills, and 
Colonel Baez remained with the cavalry to pursue 
them and to collect a herd of oxen, while the other 
troops returned to Salto. 

About that time, which was the beginning of the 
year 1846, we received news that General Medina, 
with a number of emigrants from the Oriental, was 
coming from Corrientes for Salto. The discomfiture 
of Vergara had given the Republicans an advantage, 
but had not produced the results that might have been 
expected. Lamas, who was not far off, and engaged 
in breaking horses, came up on receiving intelligence 
of tUr. defeat, and ordered the collecting of men. Both 
established their camps, and recommenced the siege, 
driving away the animals. Their superiority in 
cavalry expedited that proceeding. General Medina 
then came, who had been appointed head of the army, 
and it was necessary to, secure his entrance. Colonel 
Baez, as has been mentioned already, had assumed the 
command of the cavalry, and regularly organized it, 
skilled as he was in that kind of troops. Being 



186 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

possessed of uncommon activity, he greatly increased 
the number of horses, and provided the city and the 
troops with cattle. Mundell and Juan de la Cruz 
were at his orders, and at that time both were 
detached, with commissions to catch wild horses. 
Colonel Baez, better known than General Medina, 
was in direct relation with him, and knew that he was 
to be in sight of Salto on the 8th of February ; and 
it was therefore arranged that I should accompany 
him with the cavalry. At dawn of day on the 8th of 
February, 1846, we left Salto, and took the direction 
of the little river San Antonio, on the left bank of 
which they were to await the approach of General 
Medina and his army. The enemy, according to their 
custom in that region, showed several troops of cavalry 
on the heights on the right, which approached at times as 
if to observe whether they were collecting animals, and 
to interrupt them. Colonel Baez stationed a line of 
marksmen of the cavalry against those troops, and 
employed himself several hours in skirmishing with 
them. The infantry had halted near the little stream, 
at a place called Tapera di Don Vicenzio. I was 
separated from the infantry, and observing the guer- 
rillas, fighting, conducted by Baez. That kind of war- 
fare afforded the Italians an amusing sight : but the 
enemy concealed their " wasp's nest" under that kind 
of military game, having put forward so feeble a force 
only to deceive their opponents, and give their strong 
body, which was behind, opportunity to advance. 



A STRATAGEM. 187 



The country, in all parts of the department of Sal to, 
is hilly, as is also that of San Antonio. Therefore the 
large force which was advancing was able to approach 
within a short distance without being discovered. 

When I had reached the place of observation, and 
cast my eyes on the other side of Sau Antonio, I was 
overwhelmed with surprise by discovering, on the west 
of a neighboring hill, where only a few of the enemy 
had before been seen, a multitude of troops, as was 
shown by a forest of lances : seven squadrons of 
cavalry, with banners displayed, and a corps of infan- 
try, double in size of our own, who, having come up on 
horseback, within two musket shots, dismounted, 
formed in line of battle, and were marching, at quick 
step, to charge with the bayonet. Baez said to me : 
" Let us retire." But, seeing that to be impossible, I 
replied : " There is not time enough ; and we must 
fight.'^ 

I then ran to the Italian Legionaries ; and, in order 
to destroy, or at least to mitigate the impression 
which might be produced on them by the appearance 
of so formidable an enemy, said : " We will fight ! 
The cavalry we are resolved to conquer. To-day we 
have them, although we are a small body of infantry.'' 

At the place where we took position there were nu- 
merous wooden posts standing planted in the ground, 
which had served in the walls of an old wooden 
edifice ; and to each beam was assigned a Legionary. 
The remainder, forming three small parties, wero 



188 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

placed in column behind the building, and covered by 
walls of masonry of the northern end of the same 
building, which was in form of a room, capable of 
containing' about thirty men, and covering almost the 
front of the little column. On the right of the infan- 
try, Baez was posted, with the cavalry, those being 
dismounted, who were armed with carbines, while the 
lancers remained on horseback. The whole force 
comprised about a hundred cavalry, and a hundred 
and eighty-six Legionaries. The enemy had nine 
hundred cavalry, (some said twelve hundred,) and 
three hundred infantry. The Republicans, therefore, 
had only one thing left that could be done — to defend 
themselves — resist, and repel the charge of the enemy^s 
infantry. I then ran forward, and gave them all the 
attention in my power. If the enemy, instead of 
charging in line of battle, forming an extended line, 
had charged in column, or in alternate platoons, they 
must have destroyed our force. By the impetus of 
their column they would certainly have penetrated 
into our position, and mingled with the defenders ; 
and then their cavalry would have completed our ruin 
and exterminated us. Then the fields of San Antonio 
would have been, to this day, whitened with Italian 
bones ! But, instead of this, the enemy advanced in 
line, beating the charge, and bravely withholding their 
fire until within a few yards. The Legionaries had 
orders not to fire until very near. When the enemy 
reached the appointed distance, they halted and gave 



A DESPEEATE FIGHT. 189 

a general discharge. The moment was decisive. 
Many of the defenders fell under that fire : but the 
assailants were thrown into disorder, being thinned by 
shots from the Republicans, who fired from behind the 
timbers, and then charged them, not in order, but yet 
in a body, and forced them to turn their backs, by 
falling upon them with bayonets, like mad-men. That 
there occurred for the Republicans a moment of dis- 
order and hesitation, it cannot be denied. There 
were among us a number of prisoners, Avho, not ex- 
pecting a successful termination to the desperate 
defence, cast about their eyes to find some way open 
for escape. But they were prevented from doing any- 
thing, by some of our brave men, who then, at the cry 
of " The enemy run !^^ threw themselves upon them like 
lions. 

From the moment when I directed my attention 
upon the enemy's infantry, I saw nothing more of 
Colonel Baez and the cavalry. Five or six horsemen 
remained with my men, whom I put there under the 
command of a brave Oriental officer, Jose Maria. 

After the defeat of the enemy's infantry, I had 
hopes of safety ; and, taking advantage of the mo- 
mentary calm produced by the stupefaction of the 
enemy, I put my men again in order. Among the 
dead remaining on the ground, especially those lying 
where the enemy halted, we found abundant supplies 
of cartridges ; and the muskets of the killed and 
wounded served an important purpose, being taken, 



190 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

to arm those of the soldiers who were in want, and 
some of the officers. 

The enemy, having failed in their first charge, re- 
peated it several times, many of their dragoons dis- 
mounting ; and with them and masses of cavalry, they 
attacked us, but succeeded only in increasing their 
loss. I was always ready, with some of the bravest 
of the Legionaries, who awaited the charge ; and, 
when the enemy had made their attack, invariably 
charged them in return. The enemy several times 
endeavored to get a position near us ; but I then 
posted the best marksmen among our soldiers, and 
made them harrass them, until they took to flight. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

PREPARATIONS FOR OUR RETREAT— ATTACKED ON THE WAY — BRAVERY 
OF MY ITALIANS— I NEVER DESPAIRED OF ITALY — THE NOBLE CHAR- 
ACTER OF ANZANI— REACH SALTO— KINDNESS OF FRENCH PHYSICIANS 
— COLLECT AND BURY THE DEAD. 

The fighting began about one o'clock in the after- 
noon, and lasted nntil near nine in the evening. Night 
came on, and found us surrounded by many corpses 
and wounded men. About nine o'clock preparations 
were made for a retreat. The number of wounded 
was very large, including almost all the officers, viz. : 
Morrochetti, Casana, Sacchi, Ramorino, Rodi, Beruti, 
Zaccorello, Amero, and Fereti. Only Carone, Tra- 
verse, and a few others, were unhurt. It was an 
arduous and painful undertaking to remove them from 
the ground where they leij. Some were placed upon 
horses, which were numerous, while others, who were 
able to stand, were helped on, each by two of his com- 
rades. When the arrangements had been made for 
the accommodation of the wounded, the other soldiers 
were formed in four platoons ; and as fast as they were 
put in order, they were made to load themselves with 
some remaining ammunition, the less to expose them- 
selves to the continual fire of the enemy. The 

(191) 



192 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

retreat was then conimenced. and I tlioiiglit it a fine 
sight, — tliough there was but a handful of men, in close 
column, with orders not to fire a single shot before 
making tlie edge of the w^ood which borders the river 
Uruguay. I had directed the vanguard to take the 
wounded, feeling confident that the charges of the 
enemj^ would be made on our rear and flanks. As 
was natural, those unfortunate men fell into some 
disorder, which it was impossible to prevent ; but they 
yet went on, all, it is believed, except two. The little 
column proceeded in the most admirable manner, so 
that I must ever speak of their conduct with pride. 
The soldiers fixed their bayonets before setting off; 
and keeping close ranks, they reached the designed 
place, though not for want of any exertions, on the 
part of the enemy, to hinder them : for every effort was 
made, by repeated charges from all quarters^ and with 
their whole force. In vain did their lancers come up 
and give wounds to men in the ranks ; the only return 
made was with the bayonet, while the soldiers pressed 
themselves more compactly together. On reaching 
the verge of the wood, we halted ; and the order was 
given, " To the right about V^ when immediately a 
general volley filled the enemy's files with dead, and 
they were all instantly driven back. 

One of the most severe sufferings endured that day 
was from thirst, especially among the wounded. 

Having reached the bank of the river, it may be 
imagined with what avidity Hie soldiers ran to tho 



KIND RECEPTION IN SALTO. 193 

water. Some of them stopped to drink, while the 
others kept the enemy at a distance. The suc- 
cess of the first part of the retreat, now performed, 
secured the retreating troops less molestation on the 
remainder of their way. A chain of sharp-shooters 
was formed to protect the left flank, who kept up a 
continual fire, almost until they entered the city ; and 
thus we moved along the bank of the river. 

Anzani was waiting for us at the entrance of the 
city, and could not satiate himself with embracing me 
and my companions. He had never despaired, al- 
although the enterprise was so arduous. He had 
collected the few remaining men in the fortress, and 
replied to the enemy's summons to surrender, which 
they made during the battle, with a threat to blow up 
everything before he would submit. It is to be 
remarked, that the enemy not only assured^ him that 
all the Italians were killed or prisoners, but also the 
greater part of the soldiers with Baez. Still Anzani 
did not despair ; and I have mentioned him to those 
of my fellow-citizens who at difi*erent times have 
despaired of Italy. Ah ! there are few like Anzani ! 
Bat he that despairs is a coward ! 

Our retreating troops entered Salto at midnight, 
and even at that hour we found all the soldiers and all 
the inhabitants awake. The latter came out with 
alacrity, and gave all possible attention and care to 
the wounded, bringing everything necessary for their 
relief and comfort. Poor people ! Poor people, wlio 
9 



194 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

suffered so much in the various vicissitudes of war, I 
shall never think of j^ou but with a deep sense of grat- 
itude ! 

I had several severe losses to lament in that remarka- 
ble affair, though the enemy were much the greater 
sufferers. 

General Servando Gomez, who was the author of 
the surprise, and who seemed as if he would annihi- 
late us forever, commenced his retreat on the 9th, 
hastily taking with him his shattered division towards 
Paisandu, with a great number of wounded men, and 
leaving the fields of San Antonio covered with dead. 
The first day after our arrival was occupied in giving 
attention to the wounded ; and two French physicians 
rendered them the most important services. They 
were the physicians of the French ship L'Eclair, whose 
names have not been obtained, and Dr. Desroseaux, 
another young man, then for some time connected with 
the Italian Legion. He had fought all the way as a 
common soldier, and then devoted himself to the care 
of his wounded companions. But what most availed 
at that painful time were the delicate cares of the 
ladies of Salto. 

The succeeding days were occupied in collecting 
and burying our dead. The battle had been so extra- 
ordinary, that I thought it ought to be commemorated 
by an unusual mode of interring the victims, and I 
chose a spot, on the top of the hill which overlooks 
Salto, and which had been the scene of successful 



MONUMENTS TO THE DEAD. 195 

battles. There was dug a trench for all, and then 
handfuls of earth were thrown in by the soldiers, until 
a tumulus rose, to stand as a memorial. A cross was 
then placed on the top, with, this inscription on one 
side : 

^^Legione Italiana, Marina e Cavalleria Orientale.^^ 
On the other side : 

'' m Felhrajo, 1846." 

(The Italian Legion, and the Oriental Marine and 
Cavalry.— 8th February, 1846.") 

The names of those killed and wounded in that 
brave fight have been preserved in the journals kept 
by Anzani. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

EFFECTS OF THE REVOLUTION IX MOXTEYIDEO — CHAXGE OF DUTIES OF 
THE ITALIAN LEGION — NO IMPORTANT MILITARY MOYEMENTS— MY 
OCCUPATION WITH THE MARINE— DIPLOMATIC NEGOTIATIONS— THE 
TEMPORIZING POLICY OP ROSAS— CHANGE OF ENGLISH AND FRENCH 
AGENTS AND ADMIRALS — EVIL CONSEQUENCES — RIVERA IN FAVOR IN 
MONTEVIDEO — MY OPERATIONS AT SALTO CONTINUED— SURPRISE VER- 
GARA'S camp — LEAVE IT, TO RETURN. 

General Medina was now able freely to enter Salto 
with his suite ; and he retained the superior command 
until the revolution made by Rivera^s friends in Mon- 
tevideo. Nothing important, however, took place in 
all that period. 

The revolution in Montevideo in favor of Rivera 
gave a terrible blow to the affairs of the Republic. 
The war ceased to be national, and was directed by 
miserable factions. About the same time occurred the 
revolution in Corrientes, brought about by Madariaga, 
against General Paz. Those young chiefs, who had 
become illustrious by surprising deeds in delivering their 
country from the oppressive dominion of Rosas, now, 
for jealousy and thirst of power, debased themselves 
by the meanest treachery, and thus ruined the cause of 
their people. General Paz was obliged to leave the 
army of Corrientes, and retire to Brazil. Paraguay 

(196) 



CHANGE OF FOREIGN AGENTS. 197 

recalled her army after his departure ; the troops of 
Madariaga, reduced by neglect to their own resources 
alone, were completely beaten by Urquiza ; and Cor- 
rientes fell into the power of the Dictator. 

The affair of Montevideo also proceeded no better, 
and few events of importance occurred. The Italian 
Legion, so justly esteemed for their honorable and daring 
exploits, had continued their accustomed service of ad- 
vanced posts, alternating with the other corps of the cap- 
ital. Anzani was with them ; and, although no very 
important engagements took place, they never failed to 
prove themselves worthy of their fame. 

I occupied myself more with the marine, fitting up 
some of the vessels which were most needed, and in 
cruising on the river Plata, in the schooner " Maypii.'^ 

In the meantime the French intervention proceeded 
every day, and no more coercive measure was it pro- 
posed to apply to the solution of the problem ; but 
several diplomatists, whom Rosas deluded and mock- 
ed at, were sent to negotiate, but obtained nothing 
from him better than insignificant armistices, which 
had no effect but to waste the limited means collected 
with difficulty in the besieged city. With her change 
of policy, France had changed her agents. Such men 
as Diffandis and Ouseley for ambassadors, and LMind 
and Inglefield for admirals, worthy to sustain a gener- 
ous policy, and dear to the public, were removed ; and 
such men were substituted as were devoted to a policy 
inevitably ruinous to the people. 



198 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

The Oriental governmentj powerless from the want 
of means, was obliged to submit to the dictates of the 
intervention. Deplorable situation ! 

Rivera, being restored to power by his partisans, 
removed all others. Most of those who had engaged 
in the noble defense from disinterested love of country, 
had retired, weary of the enterprise, or were displaced 
to make room for devotees of Eivera, and unfit men. 
I found, however, at Montevideo, (that city of marvel- 
lous changes,) the new elements of another army, and 
transported them to Las Vacas, on the left bank of the 
Uruguay. The soldiers of Montevideo were made for 
conquerors ; and they proved it in their first encoun- 
ters with the enemy in the country. At Mercedes, es- 
pecially, they performed prodigies of valor ; but the 
evil influence which misled Rivera at Arroyo Grande 
and India Muerta, beset him at Paisandu, where, after 
a victory, he saw his army defeated. At Maldonado 
he embarked again, to return to Brazil, whether more 
unfortunate or more culpable, it is difficult to deter- 
mine. 

The government of Montevideo having fallen into 
the power of Rivera, I was left mourning over it, and 
apprehending public sufferings. The old General Me- 
dina, appointed General-in-chief by the government, 
with the consent of the former not only yielded to 
events, but, the better to recommend himself to the fa- 
vor of the new patron, intrigued against my friend ; but 
they deceived themselves. Both Italians and Orientals 



ATTACK LiMAS AND VERGARA's CAMP. 199 



loved him in Salto, and he would have been able, without 
fear of any one, to rise independent of the new and illegal 
power. But the cause of that unhappy people was too 
sacred in his eyes. He loved them, and ever denomi- 
nated them as good-hearted and generous. To increase 
their distresses, by fomenting their internal dissentions, 
was wholly incompatible with his views and feelings. 
To establish Rivera in power, the public squares of 
Montevideo were made scenes of bloodshed. At Salto 
the same fatal game was planned ; but it proved im- 
practicable. I contented myself with making repri- 
sals, assuming, as at first, the command of the forces. 
At that time occurred the successful battle against the 
troops of Lamas and Yergara, on the 20th of May, 
1846. Those two divisions, after the affair of San An- 
tonio, where they fought under the command of Ser- 
vando Gomez, had been reformed and reinforced ; and 
they again occupied their positions around Salto, 
changing their encampments, but always keeping at 
some leagues^ distance. We did not fail, now and then, 
to disturb our enemies as much as we could, especially 
when they went out to catch animals. One Major Do- 
minguez, who had been sent for that purpose by Gen- 
eral Medina, was completely discomfited, losing all his 
horses and some men. I had the positions of the ene- 
my's camp examined by spies, and in the night of May 
19th, I marched to attack him. I had with me about 
three hundred cavalry and a hundred legionaries — the 
remains of a battalion. Poor youths ! they have since 



200 LIFE OF GEXFHAL GARIBALDI. 

been sadly decimated ! Mv object was to surprise the en- 
emy's camp at early dawn ; and we arrived at the spot, 
for once, exactly at the desired moment. I had the 
aid of Captain Pablo, an American Indian, and a brave 
soldier. His infantry were mounted, and they marched 
all night, and before break of day came in sight of the 
enemy's forces in the camp of General Yergara, on the 
right bank of the Dayman. The infantry then dis- 
mounted, and were ordered to attack. The victory 
was very easily obtained. The troops of Yergara im- 
mediately took to flight, and were driven into the river. 
They left their arms, horses, and a few men, who were 
taken prisoners. But the triumph was far from being 
complete ; for the troops were to return, and we set 
off as the daylight increased. The camp of Lamas 
Avas separated from that of Yergara by a small stream ; 
and, at the first alarm, the former had taken position 
on the top of a hill, which commanded both camps. 
Yergara, with the greater part of his men, had suc- 
ceeded in joining Lamas. They were warlike and 
brave soldiers, made at the opening of the war. 

Having collected, in the abandoned camp, all the 
serviceable horses, I pursued the enemy, but without 
success. Most of my cavalry were mounted on Socio- 
mones, that is, horses caught and broken only a few 
days before ; and the enemy were better supplied. It 
was therefore necessary to desist from pursuing them, 
and be content Avith the advantages gained, and take 
the road to Salto. We were, however, very unexpect- 



ADVANCE OVER GREEN FIELDS. 20) 

edly favored, and in an important manner. While 
pursuing our march for Salto, we were in the following 
order : a squadron of cavalry in platoons, at the head ; 
the infantry in column, in the centre ; the remaining cav- 
alry for the rear guard^ likewise in column. Two 
strong lines of cavalry, commanded by Majors Car- 
vallo and N. Fausto, covered our right flank ; and the 
cavallada, with the horses of the infantry, marched on 
the left. The enemy, having reorganized, as has been 
said, and reconcentrated all their detachments, amounted 
to about five hundred men in cavalry. Being acquaint- 
ed with pay force, the enemy flanked us on the right, at 
a short distance, so that he seemed disposed to revenge 
himself. 

I had placed Colonel Celesto Centurion in command 
of the cavalry,— a very brave man ; while Carone com- 
manded the infantry. The latter was particularly 
urged by me to guard against any confusion or disor- 
der in his ranks, and to prevent it at any sacrifice. He 
was to preserve their order, which was that of close 
column, and never to make a movement by conversion, 
but only by flanks and right-about-face. The infantry 
was to serve as a point of support to Centurion, and 
also to re-form in any event that might happen. The 
enemy were emboldened, being increased by detach- 
ments. 

Our troops proceeded over beautiful hills, for about 
two miles from the banks of the Dayman. The grass 
had but just begun to grow, but was very green ; and 
9- 



202 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

the surface of the ground was undulated like the 
waves of the ocean, but lay in all the majesty of still- 
ness, while not a tree or a bush formed any obstacle. 
It offered indeed a battle-field, and for the mightiest 
frosts. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

ON THE MARCH BACK TO SALTO — SUDDEN ATTACK — DESPERATE DE- 
FENCE—FLIGHT, AND PURSUIT — THE "BOLLA," — EXCELLENCE OF THE 
HORSEMEN — INCIDENTS. 

Having reached the border of a brook, I thought it 
better not to cross it, because our small force might be 
disordered in the passage, and the hill on the right con- 
cealed the great body of the enemy, who were not far 
off, and marching in a direction parallel to our own. 
I thought we would be attacked at that point ; and the 
result justified my expectation. I halted, and, wishing 
to discover the enemy's condition, sent orders to Major 
Carvello, to ''charge that line of the enemy quite 
to the hill.'' The charge was made, and with bravery, 
as far as the eminence, where the assailants stopped, 
and an adjutant came galloping up to me, to inform 
me that the enemy were marching towards us at a 
trot, and with their whole force in order of battle. 
No time was to be lost. The cavalry on the wings 
wheeled to the right, and were reinforced by the line, 
suddenly concentrated. The infantry formed on the 
right flank and towards the enemy. When the line 
reached the top of the hill, the enemy's line was march 
ing upon us within pistol shot. 

(203) 



204 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 



I must confess that the enemy had made a move- 
ment of which my troops would not have been capa- 
ble, and which proved that they were brave, \varlike, 
and well commanded. Seeing this, without taking 
time for reflection, I gave the signal for a charge : for 
as soon as I discovered them, the enemv were convero* 
ing, from tlie centre to the wings, laterally ; and, after 
having made about half a circle beyond our flanks, 
they charged our cavalry by platoons in flank, and so 
rendered our infantry useless. I did not hesitate, but 
ordered my cavalry to close in, and charge, to avoid 
losing the advantage of the impetus of the horses. 
And indeed they charged well, and fought bravely. 

Several charges were made by the cavalry on both 
sides, and with different results. It would be difficult 
to decide which party displayed most valor. The en- 
emy being superior in numbers, and in the excellence 
of their horses, drove back ours upon our infantry, 
and soon measured our lances with their bayonets. 
The latter, having reformed, with the aid of their num- 
bers, drove them back, fighting them hand to hand. 
The young Italians then performed their feats to admi- 
ration ; and I remember them, and the 20th of May, 
with peculiar pleasure. Compact as a redoubt, ex 
ceedingly active, they ran to every point Avhere theii 
assistance was needed, always putting the assailants tc 
flight. The enemy fired very few muskets, but those 
few were deliberate and sure. 

At last the enemy, having become disordered by nu- 



THE ''bolla." 205 



Qierous charges, became only a deranged mass ; while, 
on the contrary, our troops, supported by the infantry, 
were always able to reorganize for fighting well. The 
engagement had lasted about half an hour, in that 
manner, when, being no longer approached by organ- 
ized forces, we were drawn up anew and made a deci- 
sive charge. The enemy then broke, disbanded, and 
took to flight. A cloud of " bollas^^ whirled about in 
the air, and presented a curious spectacle. 

The bolla is one of the most terrible weapons used 
by the South American horsemen. It consists of three 
balls, covered with leather, and fastened to three 
leathern cords, which are connected. One of the balls 
IS held in the hand, while the other two are flourished 
in the air over the head, when the order is given to 
charge. When a horse is struck in the leg with one 
of them, it stops him, and sometimes makes him fall ; 
and in this way many captures are made. The South 
American cavalry soldier is second to none in the 
world, in any kind of combat ; and in a defeat, they 
retain their superiority in pursuing their enemy. They 
are stopped in their course by no obstacles in the field. 
If a tree does not allow them to pass while sitting 
erect, they throw themselves back upon the crupper of 
the lialf-wild horse, and disappear among the trappings 
of the animal. They arrive at a river, and plunge in, 
with their arms in their teeth ; and sometimes wound 
their enemy in the middle of the stream. Besides the 
bolla, they carry the terrible CoUelo, or knife, which, as 



206 ' LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

before has been mentioned, they keep with them all 
their lives, and manage with a dexterity peculiar to 
themselves. "Woe to the soldier whose horse tires ! 
" Bollado," or struck with the bolla, he cannot defend 
himself from the knife of his pursuer, who dismounts to 
strike him with it in the throat, and then mounts again, 
to overtake others. Such customs prevail among them, 
that sometimes, when men of courage meet, even after 
a victory, scenes occur which would shock a reader if 
they were described. 

One of those encounters I witnessed. It occurred 
at a short distance from a line, between a party of our 
soldiers and one of the enemy, whose horse had been 
killed. Having fallen to the ground, he rose and 
fought on foot, first with him who had dismounted him, 
whom he treated very roughly. Another then came 
to his assistance, then another ; and at length he was 
engaged with six, when I reached the spot, in order to 
save the life of the brave man — but too late. 

Our enemy was now entirely routed, and the victory 
complete. The pursuit was continued several miles. 
The immediate result, however, was not what it might 
have been, for the want of good horses, as many of the 
enemy escaped. But, notwithstanding this, during tho 
whole time that the troops remained at Salto, we had 
the satisfaction of seeing that department free from 
the enemy. 

The action of the 20th of May has been described 
at length, because of its remarkable success, — the fine, 



MAJOR CARVALLO'S WOUNDS. 207 

open field on which it was fought, and the fine climate 
and sky, which reminded me of Italy. The struggle 
was with a practised enemy, superior in number, and 
better provided with horses, which are the principal 
element of that kind of warfare ; and several single 
combats took place on horseback, with great valor. 
Our cavalry performed wonders that day, considering 
their inferiority. Of the infantry, it will be sufficient 
to mention the case of Major Carvallo, who was my 
companion at San Antonio and Dayman, and in both 
actions fought like a brave man, as he was. In each 
of them, also, he had the misfortune to be wounded 
in the face by a musket-shot. One struck two inches 
below his right eye, and the other, in the same spot on 
his left cheek, forming a strange symmetry in his face. 
He was wounded the second time in the beginning of 
the battle of Dayman ; and after its close, he asked 
leave to return to Salto, to have his wounds dressed. 
Passing under the battery of the city, he was asked 
what was the fate of the day, when he replied, although 
he was able to speak but little : " The Italian Infantry 
are more solid than your battery.'^ 

The names of the dead and wounded in the engage- 
ment, as has before been said, are given in Anzani's 
" Journal of the Italian Legion." 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

I RETURX TO MOXTEYIDEO, WITH THE FLOTILLA —ROSAS GAIXS STRENGTH 
— THE ARMY OF CORRIENTES DESTROYED BY URQUIZA — RIYERA'S 
MISilAXAGEMEXT — THE INTER VENTIOX MISDIRECTED — FALL OF SALTO — 
DEFENCE AGAIN REDUCED TO MONTEVIDEO — HIGH DESERTS OF ITS DE- 
FENDERS, NATIVES AND FOREIGNERS, NOT YET APPRECIATED— AN IN- 
TERVAL OCCURS, NOT MARKED BY IMPORTANT EVENTS — THE REVOLU- 
TIONS IN EUROPE. 

After the battle of the 20th of May, at Dayman, noth- 
ing important occurred in the campaign of Uruguay. 
I received orders from the government to return to 
Montevideo, with the vessels of the flotilla, and the 
detachment of the Italian Legion. A few of the 
smaller vessels remained at Salto, and the place was 
left under the command of Commandant Artigos, a 
brave officer, who distinguished himself in the battle 
on tlie 20th of May. A few days after my departure, 
Colonel Blanco arrived, and took command of the 
place at the orders of General Rivera. 

In consequence of errors committed at Corrien- 
tes and Montevideo, the cause of Rosas gained 
strength very rapidly, and that of the people of the 
Plata sunk into a desperate condition. The army of 
Corrientes was destroyed by Urquiza in a battle ; and 

(208) 



CONDITION OF MONTEVIDEO. 209 

that unfortunate people, after swimming in blood, lan- 
guished under despotism. Eivera, not profiting by 
the lessons of misfortune, ended as he had begun, by 
removing from office men who had executed their duties 
with faithfulness, and substituting his partisans, destroy- 
ing the materials of an army of operations, which the 
courage and constancy of the people had created and 
maintained with incorruptible heroism, and expatria-- 
ting himself under the contempt and malediction of all. 
The English and French intervention was watched by 
intriguers and faithless men. The positions in the inte- 
rior fell, one after another, into the power of the enemy. 
Salto, which had been so honorably acquired and 
maintained, was taken by assault by Sevando Gomez, 
and Colonel Gomez perished in the defence — an old 
and brave soldier — with a considerable number of men. 
At length the defence of the generous Oriental people 
was once more reduced to Montevideo ; and there were 
collected all the men who had become bound together 
like brothers, by six years of danger, exploits and mis- 
fortunes. There they had again to erect an edifice, 
which had been destroyed by mismanagement, almost 
to its foundations. 

Villagran, a veteran of forty years of war, a man 
of virtue, of the greatest bravery, and reinvigorated 
by fighting ; Diaz Bojes, shamefully banished by Ri- 
vera, because he would not serve him, but his country ; 
and many other young officers, who have been dismissed 
by him, returned to their posts, with the conscience 

10 



210 LIFE OF GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

and the readiness of good men ; and with them the 
resolute and the faithful returned to the files of the 
defenders. 

Orientals, French and Italians marched to the suc- 
cor of the country with alacrity ; and not a word of 
discouragement was heard from any one. The siege 
of Montevideo, when better known in its details, will 
be counted among the noble defences of a people fight- 
ing for independence, for courage, constancy, and sac- 
rifices of all kinds. It will prove the power of a na- 
tion resolved not to submit to the will of a tyrant ; 
and, whatever their fate may be, they merit the ap- 
plause and the commiseration of the world. 

From the time of my return to Montevideo, to that 
of my departure for Italy, in 1848, a period intervened 
marked by no important event. 



SKETCHES 



OP 



GAEIBALDI'S OOMPAOTONS IN AEMS. 



(211) 



SKETCHES 

OP 

GARIBALDI'S COMPANIONS IN AEMS. 

WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. 

TRANSLATED BY THEODORE D WIGHT. 



In the years 1850 and '51, as the reader has been in- 
formed, General Garibaldi spent some months in New 
York and its vicinity. The first part of that time he 
was in convalescence from a state of feeble health, 
caused by his long and extraordinary series of labors, 
privations and sufferings ; and the latter part he was 
engaged in humble daily labors for his subsistence. 
It was during that period that the preceding pages 
were translated, and also the following " Sl^etches,'' 
the originals of which w^ere then written by General 
Garibaldi, at the request of the translator. The reader 
of his preceding Autobiography has seen what ardent 
attachments he formed with his chosen friends, and 
what heartfelt sorrow he expressed for those he lost. 
Wishing to obtain further particulars of their lives and 
characters, the translator solicited something more, 
and the request was kindly complied with. 

It was the intention of General Garibaldi to furnish 

(213) 



214 MY COMPANIONS IN ARMS. 

several more sketches : but lie accompanied the last of 
the following with an expression of regret, that he 
found himself too much fatigued by the labors of the 
day to conclude the task which he had undertaken. 
The translator, however, was able to obtain from him, 
at different times, some highly interesting accounts of 
various events and scenes at different periods of his 
life, especially relating to his engagements near Rome 
with the French and Neapolitan armies, with hasty 
plans of the battle-grounds. Some of these were inter- 
woven in " The Roman Republic of 1849,'^ published 
soon after that time : but some other details will be 
found in the latter part of the present volume. 

The following note (in Italian) accompanied the 
original sketch of Anna Garibaldi : 

"Staten Island, October 30th, 1850. 

" To Theodore Dwight, Esq. : 

" My Dear Sir : — I send the first of my Biographi- 
cal Sketches, which I promised you ; and do not be 
surprised to find that it is that of my consort. She 
was my constant companion in good and evil fortune, 
sharing, as you will sec, my greatest dangers, and 
overcoming every difficulty by her fortitude. 

"^^OUrS, G. GARIBAT.DI." 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 

OP 

ANNA GARIBALDI. 

WRITTEN IN ITALIAN BY HER HUSBAND, GEN. GIUSEPPE 
GARIBALDI. 



At Marinhos, a town on the left bank of the river 
Cubanao, in a district of Laguna, in the province of 
St. Catharine, in Brazil, of a reputable family, was 
born that remarkable lady. From early life she was 
distinguished by a vivacious disposition. Her public 
career commenced with the invasion of Rio Grande, 
in the province of St. Catharine, by the Republican 
army, under the command of General Canabarro, of 
which I made a part with the flotilla under my com- 
mand, when destiny threw Anna across the stormy path 
which I was pursuing, and from which she was sepa- 
rated only by death. 

General Canabarro, having become master of La- 
guna and part of the province, concerted with me to 
arm privateers, and cruise along the coast of Brazil, 
to harrass the commerce of the empire. I sailed with 
three small vessels, each armed with one gun on a 
pivot. Anna was with me. 

When we arrived in the latitude of Santos, I met 

(215) 



216 MY COMPANIONS IN ARMS. 

an Imperial corvette, which chased us for two days, 
but in vain. The second day we made the island of 
Abrigo, where two of the enemy's merchant-vessels 
fell into our hands ; after which we continued our 
cruise, and captured several others. Eight days from 
the time of our sailing, we returned for the Lagoon. 
When off St. Catharine's we fell in with a patacho, 
a kind of hermaphrodite brig. I then had with me 
the " Eio Pardo," a schooner, commanded by me, and 

the sloop " Seival,'' under Lorenzo V , an Italian. 

We had parted company, a short time before, one 
dark night, with the schooner " Caripava,'' com- 
manded by John Briggs^ a North American. 

We had a short engagement with the jxdacho, in 
which little damage was done, in consequence of a 
high sea which was running ; but the result was, the 
loss of several of our prizes ; for the commanders of 
some of them, frightened by the superior force of the 
enemy, struck their flags, while others steered for the 
neighboring coast. Only one prize was saved, under 
the command of a brave Biscayan, Ignacio Bilbao, 
and it was in the harbor of Imbituba when the " Sei- 
val '' reached tliere, having had her gun dismounted, 
and sprung a leak during the engagement. We en- 
tered Imbituba with a north-east wind, which, in the 
night, changed to the soutli, so that it was impossible 
for us to enter the Lagoon. As it was, therefore, 
necessary to remain in Imbituba, it was certain that 
we should be attacked by the Imperialist squadron 



DEFENDS THE LAUNCHES. 217 

stationed at the island. Foreseeing this, Tve landed 
the cannon of the " Seival '' on a promontory which 
forms the bay on the east, and erected a flying bat- 
tery. As soon as daylight appeared, we discovered 
the Imperial vessels sailing towards us. My men 
wished to land, being terrified by the superior force 
of the enemy : but the presence and the voice of Anna 
secured them to their posts. She chose and distrib- 
uted the boarding weapons, took charge of the cannon, 
and had fired the first shot when I got on board. 

The small vessels, ill-armed and worse manned, could 
do little against the numerous and well-armed enemy, 
carried forward with invincible velocity by favorable 
currents. Our artillery was very soon dismounted, 
and most of the crew killed or wounded. The 
commander of the Itaparica was shot through the 
breast with a grape-shot, in the beginning of the 
action. John Griggs, commander of the Caripava, 
after fighting bravely, was cut in two by a cannon 
shot ; and the trunk of his body lay on the deck, the 
face retaining the expression of life, in consequence of 
the suddenness of his death. Only a single officer 
remained in our vessel ; all the others were dead. 
Anna gave incredible proofs of courage, self-possession 
and coolness. Our cannon having been dismounted 
by the enemy, she took a musket, and continued firing 
it as long as the enemy were passing us. And she 
would not seek any protection ; but, although urged 
uot to expose herself, she took no heed for iicr safety, 
10 



218 MY COMPANIONS IN ARI^IS. 

The order having been given by the General to burn 
the vessels and retire, she would not abandon them 
until the munitions had been removed. It is to be 
remarked that, on account of the narrowness of the 
channel where the enemy passed, they fired from only 
the distance of fifty to a hundred paces, so that her 
escape unhurt seemed like a miracle. 

The vessels having been burnt, those remaining joined 
the division, and retreated to Las Torres, the boundary 
of the provinces of Rio Grande and St. Catharine. 

In combination with the division of Andrea, the 
division of Acunha advanced from the province of St. 
Paul, following the mountains towards Cimada Serra. 
The Serrans (or inhabitants of the last-mentioned 
place) had asked assistance from Gen. Canabarro, and 
be arranged an expedition, under the command of Col. 
Terceira, for their aid, in which the Marine was to 
take part. When the Terceira had joined the Serrans, 
who were under the command of Col. Aranha, he 
fought a battle at San Victoria with such success that 
the enemy's division was entirely destroyed, and re- 
mained in our power. In that battle Anua was on 
horseback as a spectatress. I commanded the infantry, 
(about a hundred and twenty men,) which was com- 
posed of sailors, and the remains of four battalions 
which had begun to be formed in Laguna. This event 
restored the three departments of Lages, Vaccaria 
and Cima da Serra to the authority of the Republic. 
A few days after we entered Lages in triumph. 



ANNA A PRISONER. 219 

In the meantime the Imperial invasion had raised 
again that party in the Missions ; and the Imperial 
Colonel Mello increased his cavalry corps in that pro- 
vince to about five hundred men. General Bento 
Manuel, who was intended to fight him, had not done 
it, and had the design of attacking Col. Tortinlios, 
who was observing him, on his retreat towards St. 
Paul. Our position and forces were exposed, not only 
to be opposed by Mello, but to be exterminated by 
him. But that was not our fate. Col. Terceira, being 
uncertain whether the enemy would marcli by Vaccaria 
or by Caritibani, divided his forces, ordered Aranha, 
with the good cavalry, by the former road, and marched' 
with the infantry and a part of the cavalry, chiefly 
formed of prisoners taken in Santa Victoria, near Ca- 
ritibani. Thither the enemy proceed. We met ; and, 
owing to the absence of Terceira and the infantry, our 
cavalry was entirely routed. We remained in the 
midst of the field, in number seventy-three, surround- 
ed by five hundred of the enemy's cavalry. Anna had 
that day to experience the severe reverses of war. 
Eeluctantly submitting to be only a spectatress, she 
solicited permission to have charge of the ammunition, 
fearing it would not be well served out to the soldiers. 
Seeing the heavy fire which the infantry had to sustain, 
she approached the principal scene of action, when a 
crowd of the enemy's cavalry, pursuing some fugitives, 
appeared before her at a short distance, and some of 
the guards of the artillery train. Anna might 



220 MY COMPANIONS IN ARMS. 

have beaten them in a race, and left them behind : but 
being a stranger to fear, she did not turn her horse, 
until she was surrounded by a partj^ of the enemy, 
when flight would have been impossible. She then 
spurred her horse and came out from the midst of tliem, 
only with a ball through her hat, which cut her hair. 
But a second, which killed her horse, rendered every 
further exertion useless. She was obliged to surrender, 
and was taken to the commander of the enemy. 

She was no less great in adversity than in danger ; 
and at the sight of her the general's staff stood 
astonished. The officers, however, were so ill edu- 
cated as to be unable to suppress exultation at their 
victory ; and she met with haughtiness every injurious 
expression which they uttered against the defeated 
Republicans. She asked and obtained permission to 
seek, among the dead, for the corpse of her husband, 
whom she believed to have been killed, that she might 
bury it. She long wandered over the scene of the 
battle, among those plains, looking for what slie 
dreaded to find ; and searching among so- many 
victims of war for some mark of resemblance to me : 
but in vain. I, with my bold companions, had left the 
field of battle, formed a close body, and withstood 
every attack of the enemy, until we reached the borders 
of a " cappon,'' or island of trees. The brave Captain 
Terceira, after doing all he could with our cavalry, 
joined us with an adjutant. From that moment Anna 
thought of nothing but escape. Profiting by the 



HER ESCAPE FROM HER CAPTORS. 221 

intemperance of the victors, she made her way into a 
neighboring hut, where a woman admitted her without 
knowing who she was. The remaining hours of that 
unfortunate day, though few, seemed like years ; and 
at nightfall Anna went into the woods and disappeared. 

Whoever has seen the immense forests which cover 
the summits of the Serra de Espinasso, and especially 
the pines which have stood there for centuries, the 
columns of that magnificent temple of nature, with the 
colossal tamaras, (a kind of cane,) may form some idea 
of the difficulties surmounted by that courageous 
American female, on her journey from Caritabani and 
Lages, a distance of sixty miles. The few inhabitants 
of that region were hostile to the Republicans ; and, 
as they had news of our defeat, they were arming and 
forming ambuscades, in the various principal points of 
the route which the fugitives were expected to take. 
In the Cabreaco some of our unfortunate comrades 
were murdered. 

Anna passed that dangerous way by night ; and 
such was her boldness, that the assassins fled at the 
sight of her, declar^'rig that they had been pursued by 
an extraordinary being. And, indeed, they spoke the 
truth : for that courageous woman, mounted on a fiery 
horse, which she had asked for and obtained at a house 
on her way where it would have been difficult for a trav- 
eller to hire one, she gallopped, in a tempestuous night, 
among broken, rocky ground, by the flashes of light- 
ning. Four of the enemy's cavalry, who were posted 



222 MY COMPANIONS IN ARMS. 

on guard at the river Canvas, when they saw her 
approaching, were overwhelmed with fear, supposing 
it to be a vision, and fled. When she reached the 
bank of that stream, which was swollen by the rains 
to a dangerous mountain torrent, she did not stop or 
attempt to cross it in a canoe, as she had done when 
passing it a few days before in my company, but dis- 
mounting, she seized fast hold of the tail of her horse, 
and, encouraging him with her voice, he dashed into 
the water and swam, struggling through the foam- 
ing waves, dragging her with him. The distance 
which she had thus to pass was not less than five 
hundred paces, but they reached the opposite shore in 
safety. 

A glass of coffee at Lages was the only nourishment 
taken by the lonely traveller in four days, at the end 
of which she joined the corps of Aranha, in Vaccaria. 
Terceira and I, with seventy-three companions, arrived 
at Lages, reduced by the conflict, and escaped from 
many misfortunes. Anna returned to Lages, where I 
was, after a separation of eight days. 

Nothing of much importance to Anna occurred after 
that time, except continued dangers caused by the war, 
in which the only food to be had was meat, and her 
bed was the saddle : but misfortunes and dangers of 
every kind never for a moment overcame her courage. 
At the battle of Caguari, Anna disdained the proposal 
made her by General Ben to Gonzalez, to retire from 
the scene of danger. The Republican army, being 



PRIVATIONS IN THE FORESTS. 223 

weakened by various murderous engagements, was 
obliged to retire from the siege of the capital, and 
made a long and toilsome retreat across the mountains, 
in which Anna passed through all the fatigue and pri- 
vations that can be easily imagined. 

It is necessary to have some idea of that part of 
Brazil, its mountains and torrents, to conceive of the 
suiferings of a troop with no other means of transport 
but a few mules for the ammunition and provisions, 
where the lasso, so very useful on the plains, covered 
with grazing animals, is wholly useless, in those 
dense forests, inhabited by wild beasts. A few vacunos, 
led with ropes, were the provisions of the Republicans ; 
but, unfortunately, in the ^^ piccada^^^ or path of the 
Antas, where we remained nine days, without being 
able to go out into the open country, because the rain 
was incessant, and the rivers were much swollen, a 
great part of the troop remained confined between 
two streams, destitute of provisions of every kind. 
Famine made the greatest havoc among the children 
of the natives, who accompanied the army. Scenes 
before unheard of occurred among those unfortunate 
but courageous people. Anna wonderfully escaped, 
with her little child, our first-born son, then only 
three months old. I had reserved the last horse for 
her, all the others being ruined. 

When at last we were*able to leave the sad spot, we 
proceeded by the roughest path imaginable, Anna car- 
rying the poor infant, tied to her by a handkcrcliief 



224 MY COMPANIONS IN ARMS. 

round her neck. She got out of the forest before me, 
and with bewildered eyes began to seek some means 
of preserving its life. Accidentally, and much to her 
joy, she discovered a party of soldiers, who had made 
a little fire and were assembled round it. They imme- 
. diately opened a place for her, as they knew her ; and 
one of them, named Maurizio, took the child, which ap- 
peared to be dying, and wrapped it in his warm pon- 
cho, the peculiar garment worn in many parts of South 
America. It soon revived ; and then, for the first time 
tlirougli many days of extreme sufi'ering, I saw a tear 
trickling down the cheek of its mother. From that 
moment she was restored to her usual state of mind ; 
for the life of the affectionate woman hung on that of 
her child. 

After this the Eepublican army reached San Gabriel ; 
and I then determined to return to Montevideo, where 
I arrived safely with my little family, and took up my 
residence. 

Anna, although superior to the trials and dangers 
of war, was amiable in domestic life. She assisted and 
consoled me in adverse fortune, in the trying circum- 
stances which we endured in the capital of the Repub- 
lic of Uruguay. During all the time I remained in 
the service of it, she left the city but seldom, taking no 
part in military operations, and devoting herself to the 
care of the family. The first- news of the first reforms 
in Italy, in 1848, excited in the minds of the Italian ex- 
iles in Soutli America a wisli to cross the ocean and 



ANNA ACCOMPANIES ITE FROM ROME. 225 

aid the cause of their country. Anna and our little 
family set off as the precursors of the expedition, and 
arrived at Genoa in the early stage of the revolution, 
when a dawn of liberty promised to our oppressed na- 
tion a national existence, which had been desired for 
so many ages. She lived in Nice from her arrival un- 
til my return from Lombardy, at the time of the am- 
nesty of Salasco. My first absence was borne by her 
with patience ; but not so the second. Hearing that I 
was sick in Genoa, she immediately went there, and 
travelled with me to Florence. She made a second 
journey to Rieti, and then tlie third, and most mourn- 
ful one, to Rome, which she entered incognita^ passing 
through our French enemies, excusing to me her com- 
ing as well as she could when I regretted it. 

I determimed to try my fortune out of Rome, when 
the venerated city was forced to succumb to the arms 
of Louis Napoleon, who had become its conqueror. 
Anna wished to share the dangers of the enterprise. I 
objected ; but vain were all remonstrances ! Her fee- 
ble health she treated as nothing. Had I then no lon- 
ger any desire to have her with me, and endeavored 
to leave her behind me under various pretexts ? She 
asked me whether I doubted her courage. Had I not 
had proofs enough ? Oh, that delightful life in camp ! 
The magnificent cavalcade ! And the combats — they 
were delightful to her. And as for fatigue, privationa 
and mishaps, what are tliey to one whose happiness is 
in the heart ? Anna ! You were identified in feeling 



226 MY COMPANIONS IN ARMS. 

with Italy, and happy in the hope of the redemption of 
a people. She did not go armed ; she was not spotted 
with blood ; but her intrepid countenance would ani- 
mate and put to blush even a coward. And, truly, un- 
der the walls of Rome, and beyond them, brave men 
had fallen, and many lay mutilated on the bed of grief 
and despair in the hospitals, or weeping at home over 
the failure of our exertions. 

The right of the noble column of Velletri was de- 
graded by intruders ; and the few good men were dis- 
couraged by the vandalism of dissension and the cow- 
ardice of some. The imposing presence of the Amer- 
ican Amazon did not avail at San Angelo in Vado 
and San Marino, to stop the fugitives. The word 
" cowards V^ uttered by her in contempt, was borne 
away by the wind, and no longer wounded the ears of 
men who had lost their spirit. Ah, I must recall the 
glorious fields of San Antonio, to forget the disgrace 
of San Marino. Yet we happened to have in our front 
an enemy more timid than ourselves. 

But, Anna ! a land of slavery contains your precious 
remains. Italy will make your grave free ; but what 
can restore to your children their incomparable moth- 
er ? At San Marino she had symptoms of a danger- 
ous disease, and I insisted that she should remain there. 
But all in vain ! The increasing dangers did not di- 
minish her resolution to go. At Cesenatico, where we 
labored all night to effect the departure of the boats 
designed to transport the troops to Venice, Anna, 



anna's death. 227 



seated on a rock, sadly contemplated our wearisome 
toil. 

She embarked ; and the time spent on board was 
one of continual suffering. She landed exhausted on 
the beach of Mesola, and was hardly able to walk. In 
vain she flattered herself that the land would restore 
her to health. The land ! It had nothing to give her 
but a grave. 

But, Italy, thou hast the ashes of Dante, the most 
celebrated of Italians. Receive the bones of the Ameri- 
can amazon, the martyr of Italian liberty, and place 
them near the ashes of your great men, and under their 
protection. And you will take part in the pious deed, 
all you Italians who ever knew her. Every friend of 
our country will bless her and the orphan children. 
And they and I will implore the benediction of God 
upon you, and the remembrance, not only of Italy, but 
of the New World, their birthplace and her own. Soil 
of generous men, press lightly on the grave of the brave 
daughter of America ! And, God ! Protector of 
the Innocent! preserve the children of the Martyr 
and the Prescript ! And, my Sons ! when you are 
asked. Where are your parents ? say, We are orphans 
for Italy. Yet ever love Italy, for she is unhappy 
indeed. 



LINES 

WRITTEN AFTER READING GENERAL GARIBALDl's SKETCH OF THE LIFE 
OF HIS WIFE, ANNA GARIBALDI, JULY, 1850, 

I. 

Her sufferings are over ; and now for a grave ! 

My dear native land, ope thy bosom once more ! 
She's worthy thy breast, though the country that gave 

Thy love to her heart is a far distant shore. 

II. 

Oh, guard well my treasure ! I trust her to thee, 
Once the country of freedom, art, beauty and song : 

They rest with the martyrs who slumber in thee. 

But bequeath us their sorrows, how deep and how long ! 

Ill 

Italia ! I thank thee for life, and for power 
To fight with the foes of thyself and mankind ; 

But now, in Affliction's dark, gloomiest hour, 
I ask but one grave in thy bosom to find. 

I V. 

The noblest of women has sunk on thy breast. 

Though born not, nor cherished, nor welcomed by thee : 

In this lone desert region permit her to rest — 
Though thy living are bondsmen, thy dead are all free. 

(228) 



ANNA GARIBALDI. 229 



V. 

Ob, now shall no longer the rack or the flame 
Of the fell Inquisition demand her its prey, 

Or the Jesuit plot, in revenge of my name, 
The noblest of women to lure or to slay. 

VI. 

For nothing remains of my race to destroy 
But the husband and sons she has cherished so long ; 

And should poniard or poison seek father or boy, 
They'll find there's an arm both determined and strong. 

VII. 

Oh, hasten the day when the Truth shall be spread 
To the minds of my brethren, oppressed by its foes ; 

Then thanks shall be given, and tears shall be shed. 
For those whom we leave in thy dust to repose. 

Anon. 



HUGH (OR UGO) BASSI. 

This Italian priest was one of the conspicuous and 
admired patriots engaged in the Italian revolution. 
He served in Garibaldi's legion, not as a soldier, but 
in such philanthropic offices as he could find to per- 
form. He accompanied his leader in his battles, and 
on his celebrated retreat after the fall of Rome. He 
left San Marino in his company, embarked in the same 
boat with him on the Adriatic, and was one of the 
few of those who escaped the Austrian squadron by 
landing on the Italian shore ; but he was soon after 
captured by the Austrian troops, taken to Bologna, 
and sentenced by a military tribunal to be shot, on a 
false accusation of having borne arms against the 
emperor. This charge is explicitly denied by his 
friend, Garibaldi. 

The infamous Bedini, who was sent by the Pope to 
the United States, in 1854, to endeavor to establish the 
canon-law of Rome in our country, which would be 
subversive of our rights, constitution and laws, was 
then the Pope's Legate in Bologna. He, with a bru- 
tality and savage barbarity disgraceful to our age, 
though strictly in accordance with the laws of the 
Papacy, ordered that Bassi should be *^ desecrated " 
before his execution ; and actually had part of his head 
and fingers flayed^ under pretence that those parts had 
been consecrated by the tonsure and the wafer, while 

(230) 



BEDINI — AMERICAN TRAITORS. 231 

a priest. The noble and excellent Bassi was marched 
to execution, witli the blood flowing from the wounds 
thus inhumanly inflicted. 

Bedini afterwards received a portion of his merited 
punishment, by being treated with expressions of hor- 
ror in this country ; and fled, in a cowardly panic and 
by stealth, from the just indignation of the people. 
Yet, since that time, certain American " statesmen and 
patriots" (so-called) have associated with him in 
Eome, and treated him with the respect due only to 
beings worthy of the name of man ! Oh, the base 
spirit of selfish politicians! — the bane of American 
principles, liberty and independence ! — Translator. 



TJGO BASSI. 

A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, BY GENERAL GARIBALDI. 

TRANSLATED FROM THE ITALIAN BY T. D WIGHT. 



He was a priest, highly distinguished for great merit, 
and a chaplain to the troops during the Italian war. 
This man was of unblemished moral character (a very 
rare quality among Italian priests), and of a noble 
heart, a benevolent disposition, and a high rank for 
popular eloquence. He accompanied me and the 
remains of my legion to Terni, after the surrender of 
Rome, shared the trials and dangers of our month's 
retreat through Tuscany, and was one of those who 
left San Marino, and embarked with me at Cisnatico. 

"E se non piangi 
Di clie non pianger suoli ?" 

The sublime words of your greatest man, Italy ! 
can never be recalled on a more appropriate occasion 
than the death of Bassi ! And who ever loved you 
more dearly, or with a more holy love ? Bassi, evan- 
gelical man ! I have never been able to do justice to 
the traits of your incomparable character, except by 
applying the motto, 

" TO HIM WHO IS ABOVE ALL PRAISE ! 
[232] 



Italy's anathema against the pope. 233 

But thou art fallen ! Shot down in the land which 
can never produce another Bassi without the labor of 
ages! 

Bassi fell the victim of the priests, who directed tlie 
Austrian bullets. Infamous priests ! sellers of Italy ! 
you sold the life of Bassi, as you have sold the life of 
Italy. Priests ! the religion of Bassi shall yet be the 
religion of Italy. But your religion ! ah, yours ! it 
can be nothing else than the religion of hell ! And 
you, yourselves, unless you imitate Bassi — unless you 
curse the Papacy — are devils. The Pope is Lucifer. 

We, Italians, wish to be of the religion of Christ. 
The lion, the pauther and the tiger, even while thirsty 
for blood, do not sell their children, but desperately 
defend, and mournfully cover them with their bodies 
when they are dying. You are worse than the fero- 
cious inhabitants of the desert. 

The mantle which concealed you has noAV fallen, 
hypocritical Pope ! The butcher is now exposed, 
without his disguise — the chief of the butchers of 
many centuries ! The watchword, in the day of ven- 
geance, shall be " Bassi T' Those whom you regard 
as your children, are the autocrats and tyrants to 
whom you betrayed us. The Italians, to Avhom you 
have been a renegade, will hereafter only anathema- 
tize you. When they shall recover from the effects of 
all your perfidy, and begin again to feel and act as 
before, your name will be synonymous with every kind 

of malediction. They will repeat a new maledictioa 
11 



i^34 MY COMPANIONS IN ARMS. 

on you, at every remembrance of beloved friends whom 
they have lost. The father, the brother, the lover, 
the friend and the mother will curse you, at every 
recollection of those who have fallen in Italy — of the 
country which' you have sold- — and of every sufferer in 
exile. The blood shed in Lombardy, Venice, Pied- 
mont and Rome, is clotted over your traitor face. 

Men of moderation, be silent ! Do not palliate 
those atrocious deeds, by false excuses. Caligula, 
Nero, Heliogabulus, were not so infamous. Leave us 
then in peace, to execrate our tyrants — our betrayers — 
the shedders of our blood. As for us, the world shall 
see us honoring and reverencing the men devoted to 
attaining our destiny, blessing them and kissing their 
footsteps. We will obey the orders of but one com- 
mander, God, who calls, upon us to be men. 

You, our oppressors, have sunk us in the dust, 
hoping to reduce us again to creep like worms : but 
the Roman, the Sardinian and the Sicilian will 
revenge the injury, with the musket or the arm ; and 
no people on earth are more able to strike to the heart. 
If you had done good to the age, from Sicilians, Sardi- 
nians, and Romans, you would have received imperish- 
able gratitude. But now, hatred is the only patrimony 
for Italians ; hatred against them who have bought 
us, and him who has sold us. But we cannot be of 
the religion either of the betrayer or of his friends. 
The temple of Christianity we shall not acknowledge, 
in an edifice erected by a man to be himself worship- 



UGO BASSI. 235 



ped in. The clmrch over wliicli a priest of the Pope 
presides, is a church of the Pope — a centre of treachery 
and vileness. We wish to be of the religion of Christ. 

Bassi was a true servant of Christ : one of the line 
of Christian apostleship, in all the purity and holiness 
of the divine institution ; and therefore he was hated 
by the crew of Pharisee-priests, with the thirty pieces 
of silver in their hands-— the priests of the Pope. 

Bassi joined the first Italian Legion at Rieti. 
Although Chaplain-in-chief of the Roman army, he 
entered that Legion as a simple soldier. The bravest 
of men, he was present, unarmed, in the battles. It is 
false, the assertion that he was made prisoner with 
arms in his hands ! 

He was an excellent horseman, and rode, from pref 
erence, a fiery steed, on which his fine figure appeared 
to great advantage. In battles, the thickest of the 
fight was the place to find Bassi ; and often from there 
his horse, and his own arms, served to bear off a 
wounded companion. To have a horse wounded or 
killed, was for him an almost daily occurrence. His 
breast bore scars of horrible wounds, and his clothes 
were torn by the bullets of the enemy. 

He was my adjutant in various engagements ; but 
it was with difficulty that I could keep him near me ; 
and he often said to me, in his natural, ingenuous man- 
ner, and with a voice like an angePs : '' I have one 
favor to ask of you : Send me on the most dangerous 
errand." 



236 MY COMPANIONS IN ARMS. 

Bassi ! Best of men ! Bologna does not erect a 
statue to you, on a pedestal bearing emblems of your 
virtues and sufferings and of our Yengeance, because 
Bologna is trodden down by barbarous oppressors. 
They leave no remnant of her glory now ; but Bassi 
alone is enough to make her honorable in the sight of 
all human nature. 

Bassi was present at all the important battles of the 
Legion, and accompanied it everywhere. His power- 
ful eloquence fascinated the people ; and, if God had 
not determined and decreed the enslavement of Italy, 
the magical wand of our Apostle of Liberty would 
have won the multitude of her battle-fields. But 
Italy, although now unfortunate and degraded, will 
return to the conflict, when the breath of God shall 
animate another Bassi. 

He did not vacillate, but promptly determined to 
accompany me on the last sortie, when the hope of de- 
fending the Immortal City — our last Palladium — van- 
ished. He labored with me to restore the spirit of 
our companions, depressed by the loss of the brave, 
who remained in the hospitals of Rome, or lay 
dead without the walls. I called him into my boat, at 
Cisnatico, where fortune smiled upon us — for the last 
time. What a smile ! In that fatal bark I bore those 
who were dear to me : Bassi, Cicerouacchio and his 
two sons, and the lady of my soul. Bassi ! Anna ! 
Both of them corpses a few days after. Cicerouacchio 
and his sons, lost in the forests of Ravenna, and never 



237 



seen again ! God protect the father of the Roman 
people ! 

Bassi landed with me at the Mesoli; and, after going 
a few paces, said to me, — " I have the red pantaloons/' 
(a pair which he had received from a soldier, his own 
having been worn out,) '' and I may betray you. I 
will go a little way, and change them." I was then 
supporting my companion, my wife, who was exhausted 
with fatigue and sickness. Ah ! without a drop of 
water, to assuage her dying thirst ! Bassi left me ; 
but I did not feel the pain of parting. I was under 
the influence of sensibility. 

Yet I survive, after all these dreadful trials. Bassi 
passed on, and fell into the hands of the enemy. 



SKETCH 

OF 

LUIGI CAEXIGLIA. 

BY GILS'ZEaL GaILIBAUDL 



LuiGi Caexiglia was from DeivEj a small town on 
the sliore of the Levant. He never received any 
Eterary instrnction. bnt supplied that defect by superior 
intelligence. Without the nautical science which 
makes a pilot, he sailed the Luisa to Gualeguay. with- 
out having ever been there before, and with the sagac- 
ity and success of a practised navigator. In the 
battle with the launches, it was chiefly owing to him 
that we were not brought into the power of the enemy. 
Armed with a trombone, at the post of the greatest 
danger, he gave signals for the assault. Tall in stat- 
ure, and exceedinsrlv robust, he united asrilitv with 
extraordinary corporeal strength. Highly polished in 
the ordinary intercourse of life, he had the gift of 
making himself loved by every person who conversed 
with him. He was another martyr to liberty. The 
Italians are destined to serve everywhere, except in 
their own unhappy country. 

Although this man belonged to a different class of 
society, I rank him among my friends, on account of the 
excellent and striking traits of his character. In all 

{238; 



LUIGI CARNIGLIA. 239 

places and on all occasions he was disposed and quali- 
fied to sustain the honor of Italy. In every trial he 
displayed magnanimity, whether in a storm or amidst 
the greatest dangers of any kind, by land or by sea. 
He displayed his courage, as well as his disinterested 
love for me, in scenes which proved their sincerity, 
protecting me when exposed to death, and watcliing 
and tending me when sick and helpless like a child. 
When I was unable to move — while I was languishing, 
and on the point of being abandoned by every one, 
my mind wandering, under what seemed the delirium 
of death, he sat by my side and attended me with the 
assiduity and patience of an angel, leaving me only a 
moment, from time to time, and then to loeep ! 
Luigi ! Your bones, scattered in the abysses of the 
ocean, deserve a monument, at which the grateful 
prescript ma)'-, some day, shed a tear. 



^'■» **" 



SKETCH 
or 

AKTONIO ELIO. 

BY GENERAL GABIBALDL 



He was another martyr for Italy ; and when will they 
cease to make martyrs of thy sons ? Thou art pros- 
trate, and hast no place among the nations. He was 
another of the martyrs ; and behold what he was who 
fell by the fury of the priests, pierced by Austrian 
bullets. 

Antonio Elio, of Ancona, was called " Cuor di leone" 
(lion-hearted) ; but, Italy, thou art ignorant of his 
history, because the interest of the priests conceals 
from thine eyes the valor of thy sons, to keep thee 
helpless and in despair. They desire not to make the 
people conscious of human dignity, or to have them 
adorned with patriotic virtue. They hold thee by the 
throat, suffocating thee in shame ; for they well know, 
the wretches, what their own fate will be. The day 
when thou shalt be weary of abuse, violence, and dis- 
grace, they will be plunged into the pit where they 
have thrown thee. 

Antonio Elio, surnamed, also, " II Mondazzaro,'^ (I 
know not the origin of that epithet,) between the 
years 1820 and '30 was an apprentice on board the 

(240) 



ANTONIO ELIO. 241 



trabacco Anconetano, Captain Delmonte, and sailed in 
the Adriatic. Tliat vessel was captured by a Tripoli- 
tan caravel, and taken towards Tripoli. The Turks 
had put an officer and twelve men on board, after 
binding the crew and imprisoning them below among 
the ballast, allowing only Antonio to remain on deck, 
as he was acquainted with the vessel, and the pirates 
wanted his services. 

One dark and threatening night, in a Sirocco, when 
great minds become inspired, by the extraordinary 
aspect of nature, Antonio meditated the extermination 
of the enemy, and the liberation of his friends. In 
most vessels of that kind, a hatchet and a large knife 
are kept in a convenient place, for use in any emer- 
gency, for cutting spars, rigging, &c. When the Bora, 
or storm-cloud, approaches small vessels on the Italian 
coast, and enshrouds them, they are usually unable to 
find any shelter, and anchor where they can. 

Antonio cherished the idea of the hatchet ; and in the 
night, when it was cold, and having on his jacket, he 
observed when the Turks were not likely to see him, 
and, approaching the place where it was deposited, 
took it and concealed it under his garment. He then 
walked to the stern, where the officer was standing 
leaning upon the boom ; but the Turk paid no atten- 
tion to him, nor turned towards him, being accustomed 
to be attended by him. Antonio had reflected on the 
magnitude of the design he had formed, and had 
thought himself adequate to its execution ; but at that 
11 



242 MY COMPANIOXS IN ARMS. 

moment bis heart beat like a hammer. He, however, 
made a blow, but missed — the hatchet stuck in the 
wood of the boom. The officer even then did not 
suspect the cause of the sound, but probably thinking 
something had fallen from the mast, turned and looked 
up and then around him, when he saw Antonio trying 
to pull the liatchet from the wood. The yatagan 
immediately shone in the hand of the pirate, and 
Antonio, the next moment, felt blood running warm 
from his side to his feet — he was wounded in his left 
arm. His heart then seemed to cease beating, and he 
knew nothing more. The hatchet is free, and the 
head of the pirate is dashed through, as if by a thunder- 
bolt. 

Whoever, like me, was ever acquainted with An- 
tonio, can imagine him in that terrible scene. Splen- 
did, like the Roman Mars, were the eyes of Antonio 
when he was excited : they sparkled in his temples. 
Although he was not above the common stature, on 
seeing him you would have said, ^' That man is equal 
to two.'' And then his soul ! it was beyond any com- 
parison. The twelve remaining Turks suifered the 
fate of their captain, one after another, except two, 
who threw themselves into the waves, hoping perhaps 
to reach the caravel. It was not difficult for the 
trabacco, now freed from the pirate crew by Antonio, 
to reach Ancona, the wind being favorable. 

" The Holy Shepherd " (Pius IX.) was hasty and 
prodigal in paying the foreign soldier, with whom he 



ANTONIO ELIO. 243 



has divided the flesh of his flock ; but he did not offer 
to Antonio a single reward, not a mark of honor. 
Italy, therefore, knows nothing of that noble enter- 
prise ; and Antonio, a simple sailor, was even obliged 
to enter a foreign service, and remained unknown 
until the late epoch, in which, rising for a moment, we 
fell again into the dust. 

At the siege of Ancona, we need not be astonished 
if Antonio was found at the head of a band of sailors 
cannonading the Austrian vessels which bombarded 
the city, and doing his duty, wherever his fiery soul 
happened to be. Ancona fell. The moderate men 
(that pest of Italy) counselled Antonio and others 
not to emigrate, believing " that the government of 
order'' would not be severe or inhuman ; and then, when 
their advice had been followed, allowed it to make an 
end of many poor young men, who are now languish- 
ing in the chains of Austria or the Inquisition, or 
hiding in secret, to conceal themselves from the 
priests. 

Such was the lot of my unfortunate friend. The 
tears of a wife and seven little children did not avail, 
nor the unspotted life and brave conduct of the noble 
man who would never stain his hand with the blood 
of the betrayers of Italy. The priests were thirsty 
for the blood of any one who had fought for Italy. 
One day they accideiitally paid a visit to the house of 
Antonio, and found a knife in the dairy. Antonio 
was shot by Austrians in a private spot. His death 



244 MY COMPANIONS IN ARMS. 

was not known till many days after, when the news 
was sent to the widow. 

The day is coming when the account will be settled 
with those assassins. 



A CHAPTER 

BY THE TRANSLATOR OF THE PKECEDING PAGES. 

REASONS rOR ADDINa THE SUCCEEDINa PAGES— VIEW OF ROME AT 
garibaldi's arrival, and during- the PERIOD OF THE REPUBLIC, 
IN 1849— REMARKS ON THE CALUMNIES OF ENEIVHES. 

Although many of the most important events in the 
siege of Rome were published in American newspa- 
pers at the time, they probably were well under- 
stood, appreciated and remembered, by but few, even 
of our intelligent countrymen. So general has been 
the indifference felt towards the interests of the Italian 
struggle, strongly and intimately as it is related to the 
highest interests of the world, and especially of our 
institutions and ourselves, that there is little danger 
of mistake, in making the preceding assertion. 

It is common for even good and wise men among us, 
to express their unbelief in the capacity of Italians to 
sustain a free government. But this opinion was most 
directly contradicted, and in the most cogent manner 
possible, by the course of things in the Roman States, 
during the reign of the Republicans in 1849, and pre- 
eminently in the city of Rome, even during the French 
siege. In the brief review which the reader will find 
on the succeeding pages, this is made clearly manifest ; 

[245] 



246 ROME UNDEPv THE REPUBLIC OP 1849. 

and many additional facts miglit be given, if space 
were here allowed. 

The translator earnestly requested Gen. Garibaldi 
to continue his own memoirs, and embrace the period of 
the Revolution in Italy, or at least that of the Roman* 
Republic of 1849. But he decidedly declined, saying 
that the time had not arrived for such a work, at least 
by his hand. Application was then made to several of 
the most capable Italians then in New York ; but they 
all declined the task, which was afterwards performed 
by the translator, in a very imperfect and inadequate 
manner, although he received valuable assistance from 
his Italian friends. Owing to causes much regretted, 
the volume referred to, ('^ The History of the Boman 
Republic of 1849, hy Theodore D^(;^(7/^f,) published in 
1851, was much reduced from the size originally 
designed, so that a large amount of valuable materials, 
which had been prepared for it, was omitted. Some 
of these will be found in the following chapters, pre- 
pared as an Appendix to the present work ; and 
among them brief descriptions of some of Gen. Gari- 
baldi^s greatest exploits of that period, in official 
documents, or communications which were made by 
him to the translator in 1850 and ^51, accompanied 
by hasty drafts of the battle-fields, drawn with his 
pen. To these may be added a few incidents and 
anecdotes, derived from persons actively engaged 
in the scenes to which they allude, in order to 
give the reader a correct, though an incomplete sketch 
of that interesting and extraordinary period. 



GARIBALDI IN THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY. 247 

The newspapers published in Rome in that period 
of the Republic, possess, and must ever retain, a pecu- 
liar interest. They bear testimony to the progress of 
events from day to day, through that most remarkable 
struggle, and afford practical evidence, in a lively 
form, of the existence of a state of feeling and a con- 
dition of things, most honorable to the character and 
spirit of the government and the people. A few 
extracts, translated for insertion here, will justify 
these remarks to the reader, while they present to 
him, in a concise and striking manner, the lead- 
ing events in Rome, in connection with the hero of 
that epoch, to whose previous history the preceding 
pages have been devoted. 

In the succeeding sketch of events under the Re- 
public, to be found in the present volume, attention 
will be chiefly directed to subjects and scenes with 
which Garibaldi was personally connected : but, as 
these are more various and numerous than the reader 
may suppose, he may be called to a wider survey than 
he would expect. For Garibaldi Avas at first a mem- 
ber of the Constituent Assembly, and therefore has a 
claim to some portion of the high honors earned by 
that intelligent, virtuous, and dignified body of repre- 
sentatives of the Roman people, which was elected by 
them, by free and universal suffrage^ and maintained a 
patriotic, enlightened, manly, calm, and resolute atti- 
tude, in their prolonged daily deliberations, through 
the entire siege of the city by the French army, going 



248 ROME IX 1849. 



through with many important deliberations, and adopt- 
ing a Constitntion step by step, until they completed 
and proclaimed it on the yery day the enemy entered^ 
and oyerthrew the goyernment at the point of the 
bayonet. That body and its proceedings haye been 
assailed by calumny, and, with surprising industry and 
ingenuity, eyen in American newspapers. Their acts 
form an impregnable defence for their reputation^ 
which time will only render more conspicuous and 
admired. 

Some attempts were made in the yolume entitled 
" The Eoman Eepublic of 1849,'^ to bring forward 
facts against aspersions of that character ; and such 
subjects as were there giyen in detail will here be 
hastily passed, while a few, which were not there fully 
presented, will be dilated upon as far as may seem con- 
sistent with the brief space, remaining towards the 
close of the present work. 

Among the false pretences made by the French, was 
one which drew down the biting and well-merited sar- 
casm of the Eoman gazettes : that they had taken 
under their charge the protection of the inyaluable 
monuments of art in "the Immortal City.'' Two 
facts rendered this pretence ridiculous in the extreme : 
1st. It was first made after the mortifying repulse of 
General Oudinot's army on the 80th of April, under 
the walls of Eome, when his summary retreat and sub- 
sequent delay of operations they attributed not to the 
irresistible yalor of the Eomans, but to his unwilling- 



NOBLE CONDUCT OF OUR CONSUL. 249 

ness to expose to destruction or injury the precious 
edifices, statues, and pictures ; and 2d. The French 
attacked the point nearest to St. Peter^s and the Vati- 
can, the principal depositories of the treasures of 
ancient and modern arts, caused numerous injuries 
there and in other parts of the city, by their shot and 
shells, some of which appeared as if thrown with the 
express design of producing such effects. The docu- 
ments translated for this volume, which were ofiBcially 
published by the municipality of Rome, in conjunction 
with most of the diplomatic corps, will show that the 
French, instead of protecting the monuments, were in- 
juring, and threatening to destroy them, and that the 
city government and foreign ambassadors protested 
against their proceedings to the government and 
people of France, in the name of the civilized world. 
An exact amount is given of the injuries done by 
the invaders' shot and shells, and of the precautions 
taken by the Romans to prevent them. 

Yet, after all this had been done, certain American 
newspapers repeated the slander, and superadded 
another accusation, equally false, that the Republican 
Government had planned and prepared for the destruc- 
tion of St. Peter^s Church and the College of the 
Propaganda, by blowing them up ; and that the inter- 
ference of our Charge alone saved them from destruc- 
tion, as the whole was to have been done in the 
same night. Some readers may possibly have 
credited that story, ridiculous as it was easily proved 
11* 



250 ROME IN 1849. 



to be, by the prompt denial of General Avezzana, to 
whom an appeal was made ; and by his testimony, that 
the mining of St. Peter's could scarcely have been 
effected in a week, and would have required an im- 
mense amount of powder, while it was the want of that 
very article which had rendered a longer defence of 
the city impossible. Shame almost forbids, but justice 
requires us to add, that this story, preposterous and 
calumnious as it was, was published in the United 
States, in the name of Mr. Cass, Jr., then our Charge 
d'Affairs in Rome, who, it was said, claimed the credit 
of saving St. Peter's from destruction, by rising at 
night from bed and interposing. However great his 
influence may be supposed to have been with the 
leaders of the Roman Republic, after his long course 
of unfriendly proceedings towards them and their 
noble cause, it can hardly be imagined that he had the 
ability of making them renounce a project which never 
was adopted or thought of. 

It happily occurred tl:iat all Americans were not so 
far removed from the scene of action and from sources 
of authentic infol*mati,o^, and left to tke influence of 
calumniators for their opinions of that greatest strug- 
gle for civil and religious liberty which has been made 
since the Reformation, and in which our countrymen 
will one day discover that they have a far deeper and 
more vital interest, than in the questions of secondary 
importance which now engross their attention. A 
number of American travellers were in Rome during 



BISHOP WAINV/RIGHT^S TESTIMONY. 251 

the time of the Republic, whose intelligence and sta- 
tions qualified them to pronounce judgment on the 
state of things ; and they, with one consent, it is be- 
lieved, united in terms of unqualified praise, of the 
moderation of the government, the unanimous enthusi- 
asm of the people, the undisturbed tranquility and 
good order which everywhere reigned, even in the 
public streets and squares through the night. All 
this has been attested by some of our most intelligent 
and refined countrymen, who had opportunities to 
observe in person ; — and it so continued, though no 
man was imprisoned or disturbed for opinions' sake ; 
though the usual Papal system of spies, police, gend- 
armes, &c., was dispensed with, even through the six 
weeks of siege, w^hile the French were advancing their 
batteries step by step against the feeble old walls of 
Rome, erected long before the invention of gunpowder. 
Much consolation is afforded, after referring to the 
calumnies forged or repeated by some Americans, 
against the champions so pure and noble, by recollect- 
ing that some of our countrymen have been heartily on 
the right side. With pleasure, therefore, we may 
refer with honor and pride to our Consul, tlie late 
Gov. Brown, who not only showed himself to be in 
possession of an American heart through the conflict, 
but saved the lives of numbers of the Italian patriots ' 
after its close, by his prompt, humane, judicious and 
successful exertions. It is agreeable also to record 
the warmth of feeling expressed by the late Bishop 



252 ROME IN 1849. 



Wain Wright, after his return from his tour on the old 
continent, in a conversation with the writer. He re- 
marked, that several members of his family were in 
Rome during the siege, and found no reason to fear 
any evil, while among so refined, virtuous and orderly 
a people as the patriotic population, and, therefore, 
declined the courteous and friendly offers made by 
General Avezzana, to send them where they pleased, 
under an escort. Bishop Wainwright readily con- 
sented to give his written testimony to this effect, if it 
should be thought desirable to publish it. 



OUTLIITES 

OP 

GENERAL GARIBALDrS CAREER IN ITALY 

During the Years 1848 & '9; 

CHIEFLY GIYEN IN OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS, COLLECTED AND TRANSLATED 
BY THEODORE DWIGHT. 

The translator of the preceding pages applied to 
General Garibaldi, while in New York, to write an 
account of the Roman Republic : and afterwards re- 
quested several of the most intelligent Italian exiles 
here to perform the task. They all declined, partly 
for the want of leisure, being all engaged in daily 
business for their own support. They, however, fur- 
nished valuable communications, some of which were 
embodied in " The Roman Repiiblic of 1849." The 
following pages are chiefly occupied by ofiicial docu- 
ments, which have been collected and translated for 
this work, in order to present an authentic document- 
ary history of the great events in which General 
Garibaldi performed conspicuous parts, through the 
momentous struggle for liberty in Rome, in the year 
1849. 

[253] 



254 GARIBALDI IN ITALY. 

GARIBALDI^S RETURN TO ITALY FROM SOUTH AMERICA, 

IN 1848. 

The following brief outline of General Garibaldi's 
movements, after the period terminating with the 
close of his ^' Autobiography,*' and previous to the 
first French attack on Rome, on the 30th of April, 
1849, has been furnished for publication here by Dr. 
G. Gajani, now a citizen of New York, and then a 
member of the Eoman Constituent Assembly, the 
author of that highly interesting and instructive work, 
" The Roman Exile.'' 

In 1848, when the new^s of the Italian involution 
reached Montevideo, General Garibaldi gathered his 
Italian friends and sailed for Italy. They had arrived 
in sight of Nice (the native city of Garibaldi), when 
Colonel Anzani, the most intimate friend of Garibaldi, 
breathed his last. Colonel Anzani was consumptive, 
and the emotion excited by seeing Italy again proved 
too powerful for him. 

Garibaldi wdth his friends proceeded to the field of 
battle in Lombardy, and offered his services to King 
Charles Albert, who received him coolly. A few days 
after, the king w^as defeated, and signed an armistice 
w^ith the Austrians. Garibaldi was not included in 
that armistice, and did not choose to lay down his 
arms. Pursued by the Austrians, he fought several 
skirmishes at Como, Varese, Laveno, and other places ; 
but his troops, being overwhelmed by numbers, dis- 
banded, and he retired into Switzerland — and, after 



THE POPE^S CIRCULAR LETTER. 255 

much suffering, finally made good his retreat across 
the Po, into the Papal State, in October, 1848. 
General Zucchi, the Minister of War of the Pope, 
happened to be at Bologna, and wrote to Count Rossi, 
Secretary of State of Pius IX., that Zucchi had order- 
ed two Swiss regiments (which were at the service of 
the Pope) to march against Garibaldi, who was then 
at Eavenna, and " throw him and his followers into the 
seal'' — meaning, probably, to compel them to embark. 
But, before this order was executed, the Pope had fled 
from Rome, and the popular government which under- 
took to govern the State, enrolled Garibaldi and his 
followers, and gave him a commission to increase his 
band, and protect the eastern boundaries of the Roman 
State against the King of Naples. 

A short time afterwards the elections for the 
Roman Constituent Assembly took place, and Gari- 
baldi was elected at Mace rata, and went to Rome to 
take his seat in the Assembly, at its opening, on 
February 9th, 1849. 

After that day Garibaldi put himself again at the 
head of his troops, on the boundaries of Napl^, and 
returned with them to Rome, when the French had 
landed at Civitavecchia. 

PRINCIPLES OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLICANS, IN OPPOSI- 
TION TO THE CLAIMS OP POPERY. 

The Pope at this time published a long and tiresome 
** Encyclic^'^ filled with true Popish arrogance and 



256 GARIBALDI IN ITALY. 

subtleties, to which pungent replies were made, — one 
entitled, " Tlie Pope Excommunicated ^ 
Brief extracts from " Thoughts addressed to the Arch- 
bishops and Bishops of Italy ^^^ " on the Encyclical 
Letter of Pope Pius 7X/' hy Mazzini. 
The divorce between the world and him (Pius IX.), 
between believing people, who are the true Ghurch, 
and the fornicating aristocracy who usurp its name, is 
impressed on every syllable of the Pope^s letter. For 
many years the Pope has lost the power to love and 
bless. Excited for a moment by the immense spectacle 
of the resurrection of a people, Pius IX., two years ago, 
murmured a benediction upon Italy ; and that accent 
of love sounded so new and unusual on the lips of a 
Pope, that all Europe imagined a second era for tlie 
Papacy, and became intoxicated with enthusiasm, 
ignorant of the history of past ages respecting him 
who had pronounced it. Now the monarchs have 
been paid. . . . 

The few important points which the Pope's letter 
contains, are : 

Ist,"^ theo7^y on authority : and 2nd, A doctrine re- 
specting the evils of the poverty and ignorance which 
afflict the people in Italy, and in a great degree else- 
where. Both these deny God, the Word of Christ, and 
human nature. 

.... The Israel (of Italy) is the revolutionary 
party, the national party, who say to Italians, You are 
not a race horn to he slaves of the Pope, or of the 



THE POPE EXCOMMUNICATED. 257 

Austrian whip ; you are tioenty-six millions of people^ 
created free, equal, brethren, all children of God, and 
servants of nothing but his law. 

The theory of the Pope^s letter is this : " That the 
poor exist in consequence of things which cannot and 
ought not to be changed ; that the Catholic religion 
preaches to the rich to have charity, which will obtain 
from God treasures of grace and eternal rewards ; 
that the poor should thank the Providence which keeps 
them in misery, and that they know how to bear it in 
peace and a light mind, as an easier way of salvation 
in heaven." . . , 

And to this theory is superadded the other ^ respect- 
ing authority : '* Every authority comes from God ; 
every government, defado^ is a government of right. 
Obey, or, resisting, be condemned." 

In other words, or comprehending the two theories 
in one : Earth and heaven constitute a perpetual 
antagonism — Right, equality and truth reign in heaven; 
fact, force and inevitable evil reign upon earth. There 
are two human races : the race of the rich and power- 
ful, and the race of the poor and servants. The poor 
exist for the benefit of the rich, in order that the latter 
may obtain heaven by exercising charity ; and the 
servants, in order that the masters can govern with 
clemency and the spirit of love. When this is not 
done, God will give punishments and rewards in 
heaven ; but, every attempt at melioration on earth, 
by the efforts of the poor and servile race, is sin. 

12 



258 GARIBALDI IN ITALY. 

And this is the religions doctrine which the church 
of the Pope teaches to mankind in the nineteenth 
century ; and she teaches it in the name of the Gospel 
of Christ, confronting it to the words — 

" Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven :" 

the only prayer which Jesus taught to believers ; con- 
fronting it to the command, " Thou shalt worship the 
Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve f con- 
fronting it to, " That all may be one, as thou, Father, 
art in me and I in thee.'^ 

No — ^it is not true that heaven and earth are in 
antagonism ; it is not true, that, while in heaven the 
truth and justice of God reign, submission to fact and 
reverence for brute force are a law of the earth. It is 
not true that the salvation of human creatures is 
secured, as if by expiation, by means of resignation or 
indifference. The earth is the Lord's ; the earth, on 
which, and for which, Jesus, first, and after him all the 
holy martyrs of mankind, shed their tears and their 
blood. 

THE CONDITIOiSr OF ROME. 

The time approached when all eyes were to be opened 
to the real designs of the French. A crisis was near, 
when all the charitable hopes of the sincerity of their 
amicable professions were to be dispelled. The city 
was to be attacked by a foreign army for the first 
time since the days of Charles V., in the period of the 
Reformation, and for the second time since that of 



FEW FOREIGNERS IN ROME. 259 

the Northern invasions. In looking back for preced- 
ing events of the same kind, the mind had but a single 
step more to make — the attempt by the Gauls. How 
different the state of the world since those times ! How 
different the condition of the city ; the mode and 
means of warfare ; the principles engaged ; the effect 
to be anticipated on the world ! 

Never before had the city of Rome been voluntarily 
deserted by a pope, ancf brought to a state of order 
and tranquility by a mere declaration of a republic, 
and become practically and truly a Protestant city. 
Never had she been, in the judgment of the world, 
more certain to be overawed by a powerful host, and 
more unable to resist. Deeply interesting must have 
been the situation of many a family. 

The negotiations which had been carried on with 
the Triumvirate, by M. Lesseps, the French agent, had 
resulted in nothing but the manifest exposure of the 
double-dealing of Louis Napoleon, and a display of 
the integrity, ability and patriotism of the Romans. 

There wiis a mixed multitude within the walls, but 
most of them belonging to the city, or other parts of 
the Roman States, and many of them soldiers who 
had been engaged in one or more battles in other 
parts of Italy. The whole number of Polanders and 
other foreigners was trifling. Volunteers had been 
hourly arriving for several weeks, some in regular 
corps, or companies, others in small bands, and some 
alone. Col. Manara had entered the city, at the head 



260 GArJBALDI IN ROME. 



of his legion of Lombards, raised and paid out of liig 
princely fortiftie, all which, with his services and his 
life, he gave an offering to his country. 

The following extract from the Roman Monitore^ 
the official journal, of June 28th, will give a specimen 
of the style, and the dignity and intelligence with 
which the people were daily addressed by the govern- 
ment. After denying, in such terms, and by such 
arguments as have been used in the preceding pages, 
the calumnious charges against the character and 
origin of the defenders of Rome, the 3Ionitore enumer- 
ates the troops in the city, as follows : '* The army 
of the Republic being ten regiments of infantry, and 
two of cavalry — all of them from the Boman States ; 
the Medici Legion, of 300 Tuscans ; the Foreign Le- 
gion, of 250 men, French and Poles ; the Italian 
Legion of Garibaldi, about 2,000, all except 300 belong- 
ing to the Roman States ; and, finally, several battalions 
of the Military Guard Mobile, some of Rome, some of 
the provinces. . . . The pretended foreign handitti, 
then, who oppress the Roman people, amount to 1,650 
men, in a city of 150,000 inhabitants, and with 14,000 
National Guards. These are the men, too, who for a 
month have repelled 30,000 French troops, not only 
from the city, but from the country-seats around it, 
and defended a circuit of 40 miles ! The most solemn 
denial that can be given to the accumulated falsehoods 
of our enemies, is to say to all the people of Europe, 
" Look, and judge! Assaulted by four armies at once, 



APPROACH OF THE FRENCH ADVANCE. 261 

in the rushing ruin of Italian misfortunes, the Koman 
Republic raised her sacred standard on the towers 
of the Capitol, and guards the sacred fire of liberty." 

Day broke on Rome, on the morning of April 30th, 
1849, upon a scene which no human foresight could 
have anticipated, even a few weeks before, and which 
human ingenuity could scarely have imagined, even in 
its principal features. The whole city was in solemn 
expectation of the arrival of a large French force, 
which was known to be on the march from Civita 
Vccchia, and near enough to arrive at the walls in a 
few hours. Arrangements had been made, and pub- 
licly announced, to apprise the inhabitants of their 
first appearance in ^ght, by the striking of bells. 
Preparations for defence had been made, and were 
still making, by the erecting of works in various 
places in the squares and streets, to oppose the French 
if they should enter the walls ; while the troops 
were prepared to fight them from the walls and the 
ground outside. The elevated positions and buildings 
were crowded by spectators, some of them foreigners, 
of different classes, and from different countries. The 
French had pretended to come as friends and pro- 
tectors, but persisted in advancing, even after being 
assured by the Romans that they neither needed nor 
desired their assistance. The French, then assum- 
ing a tone of disdain, had plainly expressed their 
belief that tlie Bomans ivoitld not fight. The world 
was waiting, with anxiety, the result of that day^s 



262 GABIBALDI IN ROME. 

movements ; and, probably, very few men believed 
that the French would meet with any great obstacle. 
They expected to dine that day in Rome, and to 
remain masters of it as long as they pleased. 

Perhaps no news has ever been more unexpected, 
than that which was that day sent from Rome to all 
parts of the world : that the Romans had fought the 
French gallantly, w^ith far inferior forces, for several 
hours, and driven them twelve miles back towards 
Civita Vecchia. Such, however, was the surprising- 
truth ; and, had not the Triumvirate peremptorily 
ordered Garibaldi to pursue them no further, he would 
have continued to press them, with the resolution 
which he had formed, of driving them into the sea. 

Among the spectators who wrote accounts of what 
occurred that day, were several intelligent men of 
different nations, who described the defence as con- 
ducted with superior skill, and performed with the 
greatest vigor and valor by the Roman oflBcers and 
soldiers. Interesting letters from some of these wit- 
nesses may be found in the newspapers of different 
countries, published soon after ; and many concurrent 
accounts in various other publications, particularly 
" Italia del Popolo," a monthly magazine, published 
by the exiled patriot leaders. We give below the 
official reports of the principal events, during the 
period of Roman liberty, in all of which Garibaldi 
was a conspicuous actor. 



OFFICIAL REPORT 

OP THE REPULSE OF THE FRENCH ADYANCE OF 8,000 MEN, UNDER 
GENERAL OUDINOT, UNDER THE WALLS OF ROME — THE FIRST BATTLE : 
APRIL 30th, 1849. 

(Translated for the present work.) 
ARRANGEMENTS OF THE BATTLE OF THE 30tH OP APRIL. 

The Triumvirate, with information furnished by the 
Minister of War, Citizen General Avezzana, publishes 
the following report : 

The time necessary to collect, from the different 
military chiefs, the particulars relative to the engage- 
ment of April 30th, has prevented us from publishing 
earlier a precise relation. Now, since such particulars 
have been minutely transmitted, we fulfil that duty 
with such scrupulous exactness, as is demanded by the 
truth of history and the just desires of the public. 

From the 29th, the commander in chief of the arms 
of the Republic, General Avezzana, who is also the 
Minister of War, was fully informed of the enemy's 
approach by the numerous scouting parties, whose 
reports were confirmed by a French prisoner, who, the 
same day, fell into an ambush of our advancc-j^osts. 

On the morning of the 30th, the telegraph giving 
notice of the advance of the enemy's forces, announced 

(203) 



264 THE FIRST BATTLE OF ROME. 

at nine o^cIock, that they Avere within five miles of 
Eome ; and the Minister of War sent a captain of the 
general staff to the cupola of St. Peter^s, to remain 
there until the firing should commence, to observe all 
the movements of the enemy, and discover their nmn- 
bers and their intentions. 

In the meantime all measures were taken in the city 
to repel the aggression, with such desperate energy as 
is inspired by the holiness of right and the justice of the 
cause. Strong and numerous barricades, at all the gates 
and in all the principal streets, especially on the right 
side of the Tiber, forbade all access into the city ; the 
bastions, rising above, crowned with cannon, were pre- 
pared to fire upon the enemy ; and the young army, 
impatient with warlike ardor, placed at the different 
points where the attack was expected, was disposed in 
the following order : The first brigade^ commanded by 
General Garibaldi, and composed of the first Italian 
Legion, the battalion of the University, the battalion 
of the Reduced, the Legion of Exiles, and the Mobil- 
ized Finanzieri, occupied, outside of the walls, the 
whole line from the Portese Gate to the gate of San 
Pancrazio ; the second brigade, composed of two bat- 
talions of the Mobilized Civic Troops and tlie First 
Light, commanded by Col. Masi, occupied the wall of 
the Gates Cavalleggieri, Vatican and Angelica ; and 
finally, the third brigade, commanded by Col. Savini, 
and composed of the first and second regiments of 
Mounted Dragoons, formed the reserve in Piazza Na- 



HE ATTACKS THE FRENCH FLANK. 265 

vona. The fourth brigade, consisting of the first and 
second regiments of the line, commanded by Colonel 
Galletti, was in reserve at the Chiesa Nuova and 
Piazza Cesarini, with all the field cannon not in posi- 
tion. General Giuseppe Galletti, commander of Cara- 
biniers, and Major Manara, with the Lombard battalion, 
forming separate corps, were held ready to proceed 
wherever necessity might require. 

Everything concurred to indicate that the enemy, 
who were eight thousand men, with two squadrons of 
cavalry and twelve field-pieces, divided in two columns, 
intended to make a double and simultaneous attack at 
the gates Cavalleggieri and Angelica. In fact, about 
eleven o'clock in the morning, proceeding by Villa 
Pamfili, they occupied two houses^ from which they 
commenced an active fire of musketry and artillery 
against the Cavalleggieri gate. The valiant General 
Garibaldi moved from the gate of San Pancrazio, to 
attack them in flank, with all his troops and the Uni- 
versity battalion ; and there commenced a murderous 
and obstinate battle, in which a hundred deeds of per- 
sonal bravery proved, that the modern Italians are 
prepared to imitate the ancient glories of their fathers. 
The French made a determined resistance to the onset 
of Garibaldi ; and even repulsed their assailants, 
favored by their superior numbers and by their artil- 
lery, which they fired briskly. But, being reinforced 
by the Legion of Exiles, the Reduced battalion, tlio 

Roman Legion, commanded by Col. Galletti, and two 
12 ' . 



266 THE FIRST BATTLE OF ROME. 

companies of the first regiment of the line, charging 
simultaneously, with the bayonet, they compelled the 
enemy to retire precipitately, leaving in the hands of 
our troops about three hundred prisoners, among whom 
were six ofl&cers, with the commander of a battalion, 
and a great number of killed. 

While they were fighting thus at San Pancrazio, 
other attacks were made on the gardens of the Vati- 
can, and along the entire line, from the Cayalleggieri 
gate to that of Santa Marta, where the enemy en- 
deavored, with all their power, to silence our artil- 
lery, and where they made two furious assaults, but 
were bravely repulsed by the Masi Brigade and the 
Mobilized Civic, assisted in good time by the brave 
and ardent Carabiniers. At all those points our 
troops sustained the attacks of the enemy with admira- 
ble firmness and coolness, and, by fighting with the 
bravery of veteran soldiers, compelled them to make 
a precipitate retreat. In that encounter the National 
Artillery deserve special commemoration, under the 
command of Colonel Calandrelli, who lost two dis- 
tinguished ofiBcers, besides wounded ; and also the 
Civic Artillery, who rivalled the former in zeal and 
ardor. 

Thus repulsed on the whole line, the French retired 
first to Bravella, three miles from the city, whence, 
after a short stop, they continued their retreat towards 
Castel di Guido, from which, doubtless, they will go 
to Civitavecchia. 



GARIBALDI'S REPORT. 267 

This battle, which wonderfully consolidated the foun- 
dation of our Republic, lasted about seven hours, begin- 
ning at ten in the morning and ending at three in the 
afternoon, without includingj as a part of the contest, 
the little skirmishes which were continued until even- 
ing, between our ardent soldiers and the bands of the 
enemy who were pursued without ceasing. According 
to facts collected, and the statements made by the 
prisoners, it appears that the enemy lost more than 
fifteen hundred men, including killed, wounded and 
prisoners. On our part we have to lament only fifty 
killed and two hundred wounded, among wliom are 
many officers, subaltern and superior. 

We have only a sentiment of admiration and a word 
of praise, equal for all, officers, soldiers and people, 
who took part in the combat of the 30th. All fought 
like heroes ; all showed that when the love of country 
is living and ardent, the sacrifice of life is sweet. In 
such a case we cannot make a better eulogium on the 
valor of our brave men, than by repeating an extract 
of a letter written by General Garibaldi to the Minis- 
ter of War : 

" All the corps which have fought this day are ex- 
tremely well-deserving of the country. A detachment 
of the line, the first Roman Legion, the University 
battalion, the Arcioni Legion, the battalion of the 
Reduced, and the first Italian Legion have been rivals 
in valor. The chief officers and the soldiers of tliose 
corps have merited the gratitude of Italy and the title 



268 THE IIRST BATTLE OF ROME. 

of valiant men. Many arms, drums and other articles 
of war have remained in our power.'' 
^ The merits of the sanitary officers of our ambulances 
ought not to be forgotten, who were diligent in collecting 
on the field, the wounded, on whom were lavished, as is 
done in the hospitals, by the ladies, services truly fra- 
ternal ; and in mourning over losses, it is grateful to 
say, that among the French themselves, many declared, 
before dying, that they left life with remorse for having 
fought against brother-republicans ; while those who 
were saved, imprecating their government, know not 
how to thank us for the assiduous cares of which they 
have been the objects, but by repeating as often as 
their countrymen are made prisoners, ' Viva la Repub- 
lica Romana ! ' 

In short, a profound sentiment of gratitude requires 
us to give to that most truly Italian General, Avezzana, 
a word of encomium, though far inferior to that great 
love of country which impels him to provide for every 
exigency of the onerous ministry entrusted to him, 
with a tenacious perseverance, and an indefatigable 
alacrity, which would have been prodigious in a young 
man. From the first approach of the enemy, followed 
by a portion of his staff, (for many other officers be- 
longing to it were appointed to the gates, to direct the 
corps which defended them,) General Avezzana visited 
in succession the places attacked, and by his voice and 
his example, raising to the highest degree the enthusi- 
asm of the people, until they asked for arms, and with 



COUNT RUSCONI^S ACCOUNT. 269 

the soldiers who were fighting bravely, secured the 
triumph of the day and the honor of the country. 

In this aggression, France, sacrificed by a government, 
the enemy of the true interests of their country, has 
sufi'ered immense losses, more moral than material ; she 
has lost all political influence ; she has no right to our 
sympathies ; and if the justice of our cause has given 
so much energy to conquer the most warlike soldier, 
we have now the profound conviction of being able 
to contest, with glory and success, against all the 
enemies of the Republic and of Italy. 
The Triumvirs, 

CARLO ARMELLINI, 
GIUSEPPE MAZZINI, 
AURELIO SAFFI. 



FROM AN ACCOUNT OF THE SAME BATTLE OF APRIL 
30th, by carlo RUSCONI. 

General Oudinot, who, with 8,000 men and 12 field 
pieces, wished to raze Rome to the ground, ordered a 
simultaneous attack on Porta Cavalleggieri and Porta 
Angelica, and occupied two houses of Villa Pamfili, 
from which he opened an active fire of musketry and 
artillery. He presented himself against General Gari- 
baldi, one of those men who serve as types in the crea- 
tions of art. Beautiful in person, simple in habits, fru- 
gal in living, courageous as the heroes celebrated in 
chivalry, he exerted a fascination on all who surrounded 
him. He had a thousand men about him, wlio would 



270 THE FIRST BATLLE OF ROME. 

have allowed themselves to be killed a thousand times 
at his slightest command. Concise in manner, sparing 
of words, terrible in wrath, you would have said that 
Byron must have had this extraordinary man before 
his eyes, when he delineated his immortal Conrad ; — 
Garibaldi, who was not in his element except when 
balls were whistling round his head, moved against 
the French, attacked them in flank, and, supported by 
Col. Galleti, discomfited them, after many hours 
fighting. 

Garibaldi, having seen that the engagement with 
musketry proceeded too slowly, and impatient at that 
mode of fighting, made a charge on the French with 
the bayonet, in the most destructive manner, and which 
secured him the victory. Finding that that method 
turned out well, he never abandoned it in the succes- 
sive conflicts ; and this explains the great number of 
killed in that obstinate war. 

SPIRITED PROCLAMATION TO THE PEOPLE OF ROME, BY 
THEIR REPRESENTATIVES, THE DAY AFTER THE FIRST 
BATTLE. 

People ! yesterday commenced the entrance of the 
French into Rome. They entered by the Porta San 
Pancrazio — as prisoners ! To us, people of Rome, this 
does not cause much surprise ; but it may excite a 
curious sensation in Paris. That also will be well. 

People ! the attack will be renewed. Let us do as 
we did yesterday ; and especially do not be alarmed 



PROCLAMATION TO THE PEOPLE. 271 

if a few batteries should be silenced by their can- 
nonade. Reports of cannon startle th6 ears, and 
somewhat shake the houses : but, in fact, when they 
do not reach united masses of people, they destroy but 
very few victims 

We request good shopkeepers to keep at their busi- 
ness constantly : that will have a good influence and 
be very convenient at the same time. 

To-day we have need to fortify Pincio, (the Pincian 
Mount ;) be there early, in goodly numbers, and let us 
labor together. 



PROCLAMATION BY THE COMMITTEE OF THE BARRICADES, 
TWO DAYS AFTER THE FIRST BATTLE. 

People ! General Oudinot promised to pay all and 
all in cash. Well, let him pay, if he can, for the 
Tapestries of Raflfaele, shot through with French bul- 
lets ; let him pay for the losses— no, not the losses, 
but the insult cast on Michael Angelo. Napoleon at 
least carried to Paris our master-pieces, and in a cer- 
tain way Italian genius received the admiration of the 
foreigner, as a recompense for the conquest. Not so 
to-day. The French government invade our terri- 
tory, and carry their singular predilection for Rome 
so far, as to wish to destroy her, rather than have her 
exposed to the impatience of the terrible (General) 
Zucchi, and the threats of Radetzky and Gioberti 
who are both at several weeks' distance from the 



272 THE NEAPOLITAN INVASION. 

Tiber. General Oudinot is more hasty than our ene- 
mies. The Republic is grateful to him. Do you 
know why ? Because, while the Imperialists occupy 
Alessandria, without a blow struck by Charles Albert, 
it is a great Italian glory, that the People^s Rome 
honorably repels the Republicans of France, whom a 
black government sends against us, after calumniating 
us as robbers and assassins. And the Popes ? Let us 
preserve, in memory of them, the cannon-balls which 
solemnly celebrated the anniversary of the Pontifical 
Encyclic. Enough ! Of kingdoms and triple kings 
let us talk no more. Let us now think of the Barri- 
cades. Let us think of our honor, which Ave must 
fully vindicate. Rome, like Scaevola, has still her arm 
on the burning torch, and has sworn an oath. The 
three hundred of Scsevola routed Porsenna. The 
history of Rome is not yet finished. 
The Representatives of the People, 

E. CAENESUCHI, 
Y. CATTABENI, 
Rome, May 2d. Y. CALDESI. 



THE NEAPOLITAN INVASION. 

On the same day the following Proclamation was 
published by the Triumvirate, announcing the ap- 
proach of the numerous army of the King of Naples.* 
Five days later they announced the arrival of the 
Spanish army, of 6000 men, on the coast. Both those 
armies had been raised, in obedience to the call of the 



PROCLAMATIONS OF THE TRIUMVIRATE. 273 

__ . — ^^ 

Pope, as well as that of France, which had just been 
SO manfully driven from the walls of Eome. 



PROCLAMATIONS OF THE TRIUMVIRATE, AT THE TIME OP 
THE NEAPOLITAN INVASION. 

Bome^ May 2d, 1849. — Romans ! A corps of the 
Neapolitan army, having covered the frontier, threatens 
to move against Rome. 

Their intent is to restore the Pope, as absolute mas- 
ter in temporal affairs. Their arms are persecution, 
ferocity, and pillage. Among their files lurks their 
king, to whom Europe has decreed the name of tlie 
Bomharder of his oiun subjects ; and around him stand 
the most inexorable of the conspirators of Gaeta. 

Romans ! We have conquered the first assailants : 
we will conquer the second. The blood of the best 
Neapolitans, the blood of our brothers of Sicily, lies on 
the head of the traitor-king. God, who blinds the 
wicked, and strengthens the defenders of right, chooses 
you, Romans, for avengers. Let the will of the 
country and of God be done. 

In the name of the rights which belong to every 
country ; in the name of the duties which belong to 
Rome, in regard to Italy and Europe ; in the name of 
the Roman mothers, who will bless the defenders of 
their children ; in the name of our liberty, our honoi^ 
and our conscience ; in the name of God and the 
12^ 



274 BATTLE OF PALESTRINA. 

people ; let us resist, soldiers and people, capital and 
province. Let Rome be as inviolable as eternal jus- 
tice. We have learned that, to conquer, it is enough 
not to fear death. the triumvirs. 



THE BATTLE OF PALESTRINA. 

The retreat of the French army back to the sea- 
shore, and the armistice which occurred after the first 
battle, of April 30th, afforded a remarkably conven- 
ient opportunity to attend to the King of Naples 
and his army, which amounted to about twenty thou- 
sand men. The following is a description of their 
position, and the marching of the Roman army against 
them, translated from the beginning of the report of 
Gen. Roselli, then commander-in-chief. The report 
includes the time from his leaving Rome, May 16th, 
until the occupation of Velletri, May 20th, 1849. 

" The Neapolitan army occupied the position of 
Albano, Velletri and Palestrina, and had their line of 
operations directed towards Rome. 

The army of the Republic left Rome, to attack the 
enemy, on the 16th and 17th, and manoeuvred to turn 
their flanks and cut off their communications with 
tlie Neapolitan State. The point of direction of the 
army was Monte Fortino, whence it might menace all 
the enemy's communications. 

The Neapolitans had no other way but to retreat, 
or come out and attack us in the positions we had 



BATTLES WITH THE NEAPOLITANS. 



chosen. The army was composed of five brigades, 
and one of cavalry, with twelve pieces of cannon. 
The first brigade, with a squadron of lancers and two 
pieces of artillery, commenced the march. I left 
Rome at five o'clock, p. m., and took the direction of 
Zagarola, by the road of Campanelle, to expose the 
right flank as little as possible. The march was very 
rapid ; we reached Zagarola at ten before noon. The 
vanguard passed the town rapidly, and encamped on 
the hills wliich defend the roads of Palestrina and 
Albano. According to instructions, the next day it 
was intended to attack Palestrina, and then march on 
Velletri ; but we learned, from our patrols and inform- 
ation, that the enemy were no longer in Palestrina, 
having concentrated their forces in Velletri. It was 
then immediately decided to occupy Monte Fortino. 

The order had been given to put the army in move- 
ment before daylight ; but, from misunderstanding, 
and insufficiency of the means of transport, the arrival 
of provisions having been delayed, our brave soldiers 
were compelled to lose precious time," &c., &c. 

The report of the commander-in-chief being deficient 
in details, I sought for more particulars from Gen. 
Garibaldi, and soon obtained the following succinct 
account, written down from his lips, accompanied with 
a hasty plan of the battle-ground, drawn by his pen. 
It now became evident that tlie common opinion was 
correct, which attributed the two remarkable victories 
of Palestrina and Velletri to Garibaldi ; as the van- 



276 BATTLE OF PALESTRINA. 

guard, led by him, had all the fighting to do ; and the 
main body of the Eoman army, under Roselli, did not 
arrive until the result was mainly secured. 



GEX. garibaldi's ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLES OF PALES- 
TRINA AND VELLETRI. 

" My first object," said he, " was to turn the enemy's 
flank ; for I thought that if the King of Naples once 
heard that I was in his rear, he would be frightened ; 
and so it proved.'' 

The following is the substance of his account of the 
engagements, from notes taken in 1850 : 

The Neapolitans occupied the strong positions of 
Tusculum mountains, with their head-quarters at Vel- 
letri, and their advanced guard at Albano. Tbeir 
extreme left was at Castel Gondolfo, and their ex- 
treme right a small village. 

The battle of Palestrina was about ten days before 
that of Velletri. The troops present at the former 
were a hundred cavalry, under Col. Massina ; 300 
Bersaglieri, under Col. Manara ; 200 Finanzieri of 
the Nationals ; 200 Students, mobilized ; and the 
Italian Legion, of 1,000 — in all, about 1,800 men. 

Garibaldi was sent out to harrass and observe the 
Neapolitans, with his division, and was at Palestrina, 
Avhen seven thousand of the enemy were sent against 
him, with the intention of attacking him. 

Between the Tusculum Mount and Palestrina is a 
valley, in one of the projections of the Apennines, in 



BATTLES WITH THE NEAPOLITANS. 277 

an ampliitbeatre. When Garibaldi perceived that 
the enemy had arrived at Yalmontone, he sent a de- 
tachment to observe them. But it was repulsed, with 
the videttes, and retired upon the corps. When the 
Neapolitans reached Palestrina, Garibaldi prepared 
to defend himself. The enemy advanced, by two 
roads, against Palestrina, when Garibaldi prepared 
two companies, to protect the returning soldiers, or to 
harrass the enemy, if occasion should offer ; while he 
remained in the centre, with a reserve. 

The Neapolitans extended in line, and attacked ; 
but were repulsed on the left and the centre. The 
two companies on the right were driven back, when 
Garibaldi, being victorious in other parts, proceeded 
with the reserve to the right, and the rout of the 
enemy was then completed. A strong body of royal 
Swiss troops, in the pay of Bomba, was present. The 
Republicans being destitute of cavalry, and the speedy 
arrival of night, saved the wrecks of the troops of 
Bomba. 

From Palestrina, Garibaldi returned to Rome. 



THE BATTLE OF VELLETRI. 

A few days after, he again left Rome, with the 
Roman army, and was in the vanguard, having under 
his orders the First Italian Legion, of eleven hundred 
men ; the Third of the line, eight hundred ; fifty 
cavalry, and two light guns. 



278 ROUT OF BOMB A AND HIS ARMY. 

At Valmontone he received advices that the Nea- 
politans were sending back their baggage and heavy 
artillery, and he therefore concluded that they were 
retreating, and pressed forward, sending notice to the 
principal corps. At Monte Fortino he received more 
positive information, and continued to advance with 
haste. About eight o'clock a. m. he was in sight of 
Velletri, which was on the road, and two miles dis- 
tant. He then discovered the enemy's cavalry, in 
echellon, on the Appian Way, to protect the retreat of 
their army, for which they were preparing. The 
main body of the Neapolitan army was then at Vel- 
letri ; and, as soon as Garibaldi's corps w^as discovered 
by them, the Neapolitans moved to attack it. 

He drew up the Third of the line, in ecJiellon, by 
companies, near the road, which was among hills 
covered with vineyards, to protect his retreat in case 
of necessity, and to act as a reserve in case the enemy 
should attack. He placed the First Italian Legion 
on both sides of the road, in the best position he could, 
and thus awaited the assault of the enemy, leaving 
two companies in column in the road itself. The 
cavalry and artillery he placed in positions adapted 
to be most serviceable. 

The enemy attacked : but all their attempts were 
fruitless. They had many killed, and were finally 
obliged to shut themselves up in the city, on the de- 
fensive. 

Garibaldi's corps alone was too weak to prevent 



FRENCH PRISONERS RELEASED. 279 

the retreat of the enemy, which was finally eJBfected 
by night. 

The principal corps of the Roman army, of seven 
thousand men, under Roselli, arrived late, and tired 
with their march. An attempt, however, was made to 
attack the city in front, by charging, at the head of 
the First Roman Legion, with the battalion of artillery 
placed in a good position upon the road. The Nea- 
politans sustained the positions of the city, in which 
they remained the rest of the day. The Republicans 
took positions, in order to renew the attack the 
next day : but in the morning the Neapolitans retreat- 
ed, and disappeared from Velletri. 

These bold and successful operations, so briefly 
described, were of the highest importance, in their re- 
sults, both by driving back the enemy, by encouraging 
the Republicans, and by adding to their reputation. 
The rout of the Neapolitans was so decisive, that 
they gave no further annoyance, and never appear- 
ed again during the war. 

As for the poor Spanish army, which had landed on 
the coast, in obedience to the call of the poor Pope, 
they did nothing but issue a few bombastic proclama- 
tions, and kept themselves out of harm^s way. 

The French, in the meantime, were preparing to 
take decisive measures against Rome. The wounded, 
whorii they had left behind them on the 30th of April, 
had been tenderly nursed by the Roman ladies, who 
had volunteered to attend at the hospitals ; and three 



280 REPORT OP THE BATTLE OP JUNE 3d. 

or four hundred prisoners had been harangued in tlie 
Corso, by the commander-in-chief, addressed as brother- 
republicans, in the name of the government and peo- 
ple, and dismissed without exchange or parole, with 
open gates, to return to Civitavecchia. On their 
arrival there, however, full of their praises of the noble 
Romans, they were immediately shipped for France, 
for fear of their influence among the troops. 

The French army soon moved, in great force, for 
Rome, with heavy artillery and all preparations for a 
siege. But their first step was to violate the amnesty, 
by suddenly attacking the outposts, the night before the 
time limited by the armistice, and while they were 
almost unprotected. 



(Translated from the Monitroe Romano, of June 8, 1849.) 

GENERAL GARIBALDI'S ACCOUNT OF THE 
ACTION OF JUNE 3d, 1849, 

WITH THE FRENCH, AT VILLAS CORSINI AND VASCELLO. 

On leaving the Bastion, the ground on the right 
rises a little in the direction of the Villa Vascello ; 
and on the left forms, by a gentle descent, a little 
valley, which leads towards the French camp. 

From the gate of San Pancrazio a street leads 
directly to the Vascello, (two hundred and fifty paces,) 
and then divides. The principal branch descends on 
the right along the garden of the Villa Corsini, sur- 
rounded by high walls, and goes on to join the great 



THE SIEGE OF ROME. 281 

road to Civitavecchia. Another, flanked by hedges, 
leads directly to the Villa Corsini, which is three hun- 
dred paces in front of the Villa Vascello. And the 
third road turns to the left, and is prolonged, like the 
first, by the wall of the garden of the Villa Corsini. 

The Villa Vascello is a large and massive fabric 
<: * three stories, surrounded by gardens and walls. In 

; lit of the Villa (fifty paces) is a small house, from 

] ch firing may be made against the windows of the 
' 'i a Corsini. 

a the left road, (one hundred paces,) beyond the 
t of separation of the streets, are two small houses, 

: behind the garden of Villa Corsini, the other 
t,' ^r. y paces before, on the left of the street. 

) 1 '- Villa Corsini, placed on the highest part of the 
• - iind, commands all the neighborhood. It is sur- 
^v- nded by a garden and high wall. The position of 
the Villa is very strong, and the more so because 
wishing to attack it without showing any preparation 
of approach before hand, it is necessary, while passing 
the concello, which is at the foot of the garden, to 
bear the concentrated fire which the enemy, defended 
and covered by the hedges and vases, or within the 
Villa itself, make upon that point at which the 
garden-walls meet at an acute angle. 

The ground is also very descending ; and, besides, 
the Villa Corsini is very favorable to the enemy, 
because declining, and being scattered with groves, 
and crossed by deep streets, they can concentrate their 

13 



282 BATTLE OF JUNE 3D. 

reserves in security from our fire, when the cannon 
oblige them to abandon the house. 

The first attack made by the Italian Legion was 
against the positions Corsini and Quattro Venti, which 
had been abandoned by our troops, because surprised, 
betrayed, and overpowered by the great number of the 
enemy. The attack was made with the bayonet, with- 
out firing a single shot ; the Legion sustained, for 
about three-quarters of an hour, the whole weight of 
the enemy ; and Colonels Daverio and Massina, and 
Commandant Peralta were killed, and most of the 
officers wounded. 

At that moment arrived the Manara Bersaglieri, 
who throwing themselves into the garden, vigorously 
attacked the enemy, even under the walls of the Villa. 
Here fell Captain Dandolo and many soldiers ; and 
many officers and soldiers were wounded. But from 
that moment the houses on the left were ours. The 
enemy had stopped their progressive work, and the 
Vascello, strongly occupied, poured on them a fire of 
grape shot. The brave artillerymen very soon dis- 
turbed the enemy in the Villa Corsini. 

The Manara Bersaglieri, from the Casini on the left, 
and the Italian Legion from the Vascello, drove the 
French Tiraglieurs from the garden and hedges. Both 
parties kept up a very warm fire. 

The enemy were no more able, although reinforced 
and protected by two pieces of artillery, to take from 
our troops the position held with so much v^-lor. 



THE SIEGE OF ROME. 283 

The artillery fired upon the Villa Corsini so vigo- 
rouslj", that the enemy were compelled to retreat, 
after setting it on fire ; while the cannon in the 
right Bastion, and Bersaglieri, thrown forward of the 
Vascello, attacked with great ardor the enemy, who 
were in the Casino Quattro Venti, and who occupied 
numerous small adjacent houses, from which they made 
a very heavy but useless fire. 

On the left, towards the French camp, two com- 
panies of the Manara Bersaglieri were then sent, who 
went far in advance, to annoy the enemy, hidden among 
the vines. 

A very severe conflict continued all day, always to 
the advantage of our troops, who were able, even a 
second time, (the Manara Bersaglieri and Italian 
Legion,) to charge the enemy beyond the Villa 
Corsini. 

Towards evening several companies of the third 
regiment of the line were sent to reinforce our troops 
in the Vascello ; and the Medici Legion was sent to 
relieve the Manara Bersaglieri in the Casini on the left. 

The cannon reduced almost to dust the Villa Corsini 
and the Casino Quattro Venti, being wonderfully well 
directed — due praise to the brave Lieut. Col. Ludovico 
Calandrelli. 

The enemy were beaten at all points. Our troops, 
and especially the Manara Bersaglieri and the Italian 
Legion, again and again charged the enemy breast to 
breast. 



284 BATTLE OF JUNE 3d. 

The first company of Manara Bersiglieri threw 
itself into the Villa Giraud, and made many French 
prisoners. The Italian Legion several times advanced 
up to Villa Valentini. 

At evening the Medici Legion vigorously charged 
the enemy among the vineyards on the left. 

The night came, leaving to us the field of battle, the 
enemy admiring our valor, and our troops desirous 
-oi renewing the battle, which had been so courageously 
fought on the first day. This they did on the following 
morning. 

All the of&cers, and especially the superior and 
subaltern officers whom I wish to distinguish, are these 
here recorded, because martyrs and dying as brave 
men. 

Cols. Masina, Daverio, and Eamorino ; Adj. Major 
Peralta ; Lieuts. Bonnet, Cavalleri and Grassi ; Capts. 
Dandalo and David, Lieut. Scarani, Col. PoUine, 
Lieuts. Larete and Gazzaniga. 

Garibaldi, 
Commander of the Division. 

9 

[The siege and resistance continued : but the par- 
ticulars must be omitted here. Passing over three 
weeks we come to the last great, but unsuccessful 
attack on the Vascello.] 



SIEGE OF ROME. 285 



Ti-anslated from the '^ Monitore Romano " (Eoman Monitor), of June 26tb, 1848. 

OFFICIAL BULLETIN OF EVENTS WHICH 
TOOK PLACE ON THE 25TH AND 26TH OF 
JUNE, 1849. 

In the last night the enemy made an attack, to dis- 
lodge our troops from the Casino, outside the gate 
San Pancrazio, called the Vascello, but were repulsed 
with great loss. For the particulars of that action, 
glorious to our arms, I publish the following extract 
from a report sent to me by the brave general of 
division, Garibaldi : 

GEN. GARIBALDI'S REPORT TO ROSELLI, THE GENERAL- 
IN-CHIEF. 

Citizen General-in-chief : 

One hour after midnight the enemy tried a second 
attack, and assaulted our right flank, breaking in 
towards the Vascello, which is under the command of 
Lieutenant- Colonel Medici, and on the left side of the 
Casetta, which is under the command of Major Cenni. 

With lively pleasure I communicate to you how 
heroically our troops sustained themselves, and power- 
fully repulsed them. 

The very deep mist, which involved everything, 
rendered the conflict the more interesting. Our 
soldiers gave proofs of their diligence and love for 
the cause. 

Many dead, who still lie unburied on the enemy^s 
ground, bear them witness. And the highest encom- 



286 THE ROMANS CALUMNIATED. 

ium is due in general to the detachments Medici and 
Melara, and to the Manara Bersaglieri, on the right 
wing, and on the left to Major Cenni, of the staff of 
the division ; and, of the Arcioni legion, to Captains 
Joanny, Baily, Romagnori ; 1st Lieutenant Carlotti ; 
2d Lieutenant Bellonghi ; and to all the soldiers of 
that corps. Of the Regiment of the Union, Capt. 
Colombani and Lieut. Dezzi distinguished themselves. 
The soldiers are the same as those who so lately de- 
fended the Casetta, near the Vascello. 

And the detachment of the line should not be for- 
gotten, commanded by Sub-Lieutenant Ferrandi, of 
the 3d regiment, who showed themselves openly, and 
intrepid under fire. When the firing had ceased, in 
consequence of the repulse of the enemy, there was an 
almost perfect silence, interrupted only by a few ex- 
changes of shot, chiefly harmless. Nothing important 
occurred before daybreak, and things still remain as 
yesterday. 

Salutation and brotherhood ! 

General Head-quarters, morning of June 26th, 1849. 

Garibaldi. 
General commanding the 1st Division. 

The following editorial passage follows the preced- 
ing report, in the same paper, the Monitore Romano. 
As it relates to a subject of which much use was after- 
wards made by the French and Popish writers, to 
justify themselves, and falsely to accuse the Romans, 



SIEGE OF ROME. . 287 



it seems proper to insert it here, for the information 
of the reader. In spite of what is here said (greatly 
to the disgrace of the French invaders), many of the 
statues, buildings, pictures, and other valuable " monu- 
ments of the city,'^ were injured, and some destroyed, 
by their bullets, grape-shot, cannon-balls and bomb- 
shells. They chose their point of attack near St. 
Peter^s church and the Vatican palace, and sometimes 
appeared to aim their artillery for the wanton destruc- 
tion or injury of those and other edifices. 

From the Monitore Roman of June 26th, 1849. 

The Paris Constitutionnel, and all the other journals 
of the (French) government, make known the reason 
why General Oudinot has not yet entered Rome, in 
the following passage : 

" It is wrong to believe that Rome can be, in a few 
days, rescued from the state of defence in which it has 
been placed by the foreigners who occupy it. Even if 
the possibility of success in an attack by main force 
were demonstrated, with the use of all the means au- 
thorized by war, other considerations should prescribe 
the greatest circumspection to our general-in-chief. 
In reality, the order to attack, which was sent to Gen. 
Oudinot, contains an express recommendation to adopt 
the most complete measures to avoid the exposure of 
the monuments of the city, which are now placed under 
the safeguard of France. Considerations of humanity 
are no less in the plans of our generals, who in no 



288 FRENCH PRETEXTS. 

case will confound the Roman population with the 
bands of adventurers who ruin and oppress it. For 
all these reasons, the besieging forces will confine 
themselves to the attack of exterior works, and of 
positions from which the city and the monuments can 
not receive any injury.'' 

[Remarks on the preceding extract from the Con- 
stitiitionnelj by the editors of the Ifonitore Bomano.'] 

'^ This, it cannot be denied, is an ingenious expe- 
dient to justify the slowness of the hriUiant successes 
of Oudinot under the walls of Rome. It is not a 
posthumous expedient, but a witty one, invented after 
the act. The General had first to think how to let his 
bomb-shells by hundreds fall, not upon the foreigners 
who defend Rome, but upon the heads of the harmless 
population whom he has come to protect. He must 
think first how to ruin the edifices of Raffaelle, the 
Aurora of Guido, the temple of Fortuna Virilis, and, 
only yesterday, the most beautiful fresco of Poussin, 
in the palace Costaguli, now irreparably lost, because 
it has never been copied or engraved. 

*' But this does not prevent the Roman monuments 
from being placed under the safeguard of the French 
arms ! This did not prevent them from having within 
their scope the defence of the liberty of the people, 
oppressed by foreigners ! Hypocrites and wretches ! 
you do not possess even the brutal frankness of Aus- 
tria ! '' 



SIEGE OF ROME. 289 



The following brief notices of events in Paris, pub- 
lished in the same number of the Monitore Romano, 
convey striking hints of the condition to which Louis 
Napoleon was reducing France, while his army was 
attempting to overthrow the Roman Republic, and 
fabricating excuses for his ill success. 

Paris^ June 15th. — The members of the Legislative 
Assembly under trial for revolutionary proceedings 
exceeds twenty ; and the list is not yet complete, 
(Ledru Rolin was at the head of these.) 

The Moniteur publishes two decrees of the Presi- 
dent of the Republic. By the first, considering that 
the existing condition of Paris renders necessary the 
union in one hand of all the disposable forces of the 
national guard and of the army, it is decreed, that 
General Changazmier shall unite the superior com- 
mand of the national guard of the Seine with the 
command of the troops of the first military division, 
until the public tranquillity shall be restored in the 
capital. By the second, the city of Lyons and all the 
circuit comprised in the sixth military division are 
placed in the state of siege. 

Arrests continue to-day. The whole number is 

three hundred Letters and papers seized will 

lead to other arrests. 

By a decree of the Executive the following news- 
papers are suppressed, (naming six.) 



13 



MONUMENTS OF AKT IN ROME, 

DESTROYED, INJURED OR ENDANGERED BY THE FRENCH : MEASURES 
ADOPTED BY THE REPUBLICANS TO PROTECT THEM. 

^' The Communal Council of Rome, at their session on 
May 24th, 1849, decreed, that a copy of the statement 
made by Councillor Luigi Canina, relating to the in- 
juries done, on the 30th of April last, by the French 
army, should be sent to the Municipality of Paris." 

That document is inserted entire in the 3Ionitore 
Bomano, with the following letter : 

'' To the Ge7itle7nen composing the Municipcdity of 
Paris : 
'' Gentlemen : — This Municipal Council have re- 
solved to send you the annexed description of the 
injuries suffered by the Vatican and the adjacent 
edifices, on the 30th of April, from the French arms. 
The resolution was caused by an indelible sentiment 
of sympathy between France and Rome, and the con- 
viction that all the municipalities of civilized countries 
have an equal interest for the preservation of the 
master-pieces in tlie sciences and the arts. They should 
attest to posterity the progress of nations, and the 
relations between them, which are the more intimate 
when the tendencies towards the extreme goal of civil- 
ization are most in harmony. 

(290) 



SIEGE OF ROME. 291 



" We do not attribute this lamentable event to 
France, but to the few who have been deceived by a 
base calumny. It is pretended that Eome is a prey to 
anarchy, and that the Christian monuments are in 
danger of destruction. The arms directed by a mis- 
take will ruin themselves ; and those very persons 
w^ho announced themselves the defenders of the Chris- 
tian monuments have run the risk of destroying the 
greatest temple in the world. 

" Rome resists the armies of your republic, because 
she would not allow any nation, however friendly, to 
put in doubt the sacredness of her rights, the truth of 
facts which have occurred in peace : but Rome, the 
natural ally of France, can not with indifference allow 
the fanaticism of a few to confound her name, glorious 
in history, with the name and devastations of tiie bar- 
barians. 

" Accept our professions of esteem and brotherhood. 

" At the Capitol, May 28th, 1851. 

'' Francesco Sterbinetti, Senator of Rome.'' 

(Then following the signatures of the six Con- 
servators, the Secretary, &c.) 

The statement is in two parts, each of considerable 
length. The first refers to the Palace and Museum of 
the Vatican, and states that the following injuries 
were done by projectiles thrown from the house in the 
vineyard Moroni. The report was delayed until that 
time, on account of the vast extent of the buildings 
and the variety of injuries suffered. 



292 INJURIES TO THE VATICAN BY FRENCH SHOT. 

The Councillor first visited the eastern court of the 
Palace, because in the battle he had first heard balls 
whistling in that direction. 

Here a 12-pound ball had entered the skylight, 
broken two roof-timbers, and torn up about 20 tiles ; 
and repairs are required immediatety, to secure the roof. 
Northward from that spot, another 12-pound ball had 
fallen, but caused less injury. Proceeding on, upon 
the roof, over the habitation of the keeper of the 
museum, Demetrio Mazzoni, another shot, of the same 
size, had damaged tiles and timbers. Next, passing 
through the corridor of the museum and the library, 
we found that two balls had fallen upon the roof 
above, one of which had broken through it. Another 
ball had struck the roof of the halls of the Borgia 
Library. The roof of the Sixtine Chapel showed the 
marks of four cannon-shots, which seemed to have 
bounded off, but did so much injury that four cart- 
loads of tiles, and other materials, will be necessary to 
repair it. One ball crashed the tiles on the roof of the 
Cortile dei Pappagalli. 

In the interior of the museum, accompanied by the 
sculptor, A. Stochi, he found a window broken by a 
Stutzen ball. In the hall of Candelabri, and almost 
all the other halls which are exposed on the south, 
many Stutzen and musket balls had entered, breaking 
windows. In the Arazzi Gallery were five Stutzen 
balls, one of which struck Raffaele^s picture of Paul 
Preaching at the Areopagus, and passed through a 



SIEGE OF ROME. 293 



female figure ; and another struck the lower border. 
In the Picture Gallery a Stutzen ball had entered ; in 
the Library three musket-balls, but were prevented 
from doing any injury by an ingenious precaution, 
timely taken, which saved many balls which entered 
the windows from passing beyond them. This was 
the loosening of the window-curtains, which deadened 
the force of the bullets. A quantity of Stutzen and 
musket balls were found in the Court of the Loggie, 
one of which entered the wall. 

Having reported the damages done to the Vatican 
Museum, (an abridged account of which closes here,) 
the Engineer says : 

*' I will now notify you of the precautions taken, 
partly at your command, and partly with your appro- 
bation in order to preserve from fire, in case of another 
attack on that side, or by the Porta Angelica, the 
entire fabric, as far as possible ; as well as from injury 
by stutzen and musket balls, the master-pieces and orna- 
ments of art preserved in the museum." He then re- 
marks, that the roof of the Palace being filled with 
dry wood, so placed that a single spark might set it 
all in flame, the only way to secure it, is to extinguish 
it at the beginning. There being a conduit and a cis- 
tern, he had the latter filled with water, and prepared 
to set four watchmen in safe places, with small 
hand-pumps, to extinguish any fiery projectile, which 
might fall on the roof. Other parts of the roof were 
to be protected in like manner. Then, to secure the 



294 INJURIES TO ST. PETER's BY FRENCH SHOT. 

statues, paintings, &c., in the building, curtains were 
liung loose at the windows, and such pictures as were 
movable on side-hinges, were turned edgewise towards 
the points where balls might be expected to enter ; 
while precious objects standing near the windows were 
removed to distant parts of the walls, with their backs 
outward. In the Gallery of Geographical Charts and 
the Library, there being curtains and window-shutters, 
the latter were closed and the former hung loose. By 
increasing attention, and resorting to every other 
judicious expedient, assisted by others, the Engineer 
hoped to be successful in his object. 

The second part of the Report on the Vatican 
(May 8, 1849,) informed the Counsellor Canina as fol- 
lows : 

Damages on the Grand Terrace. — 1. On the Cupo- 
lino of Lambertini, the electrical conductor broken by 
a cannon-ball ; 2d. "JUie roof of the nave of St. Pro- 
cesso broken through by a 16-pound c^inon shot, 
dashing many tiles, one of which struck the arch 
below, and another broke the electrical conductor 
above the roof ; 3d. A cannon-ball entered the Cupo- 
lino Rezzonico, and penetrated the wall a palm and a 
half; 4th. A cannon-ball injured the leaden covering 
of the Octagon of the Cupolino St. Michael ; and 
three others were taken out of the basement ; while 
another shot broke down about seven palms of wall, 
bending the electrical conductors, and still another 
crumbled a block of Travertine marble ; 5th. In the 



SIEGE OF ROME. 295 



Tabita Cupolino, a cannon-ball broke in the window- 
frame ; 6th. In that of the Lumacca d'Altiere, a 
cannon-ball passed entirely through the leaden cover- 
ing, and injured the cupolino of St. Michael; while 
two window-frames, with iron bars, were dashed in by- 
two other balls, seriously injuring the electrical con- 
ductors, &c. 

(Omitting, as before, some details, we pass on to the 
centre of the roof of St. Peter's Church.) 

Under the basement of the principal cupola, precisely 
at the staircase of St. Helena, a cannon-ball broke 
through the curtain, above the chief Avail of the niche, 
and another, iu the same staircase, struck in two places. 
A cannon-ball broke in pieces a block of travertine, 
under the same cupola ; and in rebounding, it broke 
the corners of a pilaster, marked No. 16. 

The covering of the roof of the Cathedral was 
injured by four cannon-balls, which damaged the tiles, 
and broke a pilaster, which supports the roof itself. 

Passing on to visit the exterior of the Basilica, (or 
Church of St. Peter,) on one side are marks, in the 
travertine, of twenty-five cannon-balls, which have 
produced injuries to a portion of the cornice, in two 
places in the attic, to a pilaster, a window-frame, an 
architrave of a window, and, above the architrave, 
ruined several decorations, and broken many pieces of 
travertine in the same attic. Several marks of Stutzen 
and musket-balls, also, are seen on tlie travertine ; and 
two on the window towards the monument of Paul 3d 



296 FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVES^ PROTEST. 

Farnese ; besides many others. The keeper of the 
cupola has preserved 21 balls. 

Gustavo Grass, 

Engineer and Supernumerary in the Corps of 

Watchmen. 
Giuseppe Rossi, Secretary. 



protest against the destruction op monuments by 
the french. 

Most of the foreign representatives then in Rome, 
both diplomatic and commercial, united in a protest 
against the injury and destruction of the precious 
monuments of art by the French. As a significant 
evidence (if any were wanting) of the positions main- 
tained by our Charge, Mr. Cass, and our truly noble- 
hearted America,n Consul, Mr. Brown, (since Governor 
of Rhode Island,) it is sufficient to record that the 
name of the latter is found on that protest, and that 
of the former is not ! It should never be forgotten, 
however, that the people of the United States can 
never free themselves from a large share of the dis- 
grace which was incurred by our nation by the con- 
duct of our Charge in Rome. 

The people of Rome had sufi'ered from the balls 
and shells thrown into the city, many sad casualties 
having occurred, causing wounds and death. But yet 
frequent injuries were done to works of art, and to the 
people in distant parts of Rome, by the Frencli balls, 
during the entire siege, and publicly noticed. 



SIEGE OF ROME. 297 



The following are specimens : 

Rome^ June 2{)tli. — A bomb fell on the breast of a 
poor girl, who was sleeping by the side of her sister 
— an act of cruelty, one of the sorrowful and inevita- 
ble elBfects of this war. That young creature, inoffen- 
sive, blameless, ignorant of the political parties and 
deceit, — to a philosopher, a poet, a man of heart, w^as 
of greater value than a statue or a hundred pictures. 
Pictures and statues may be restored ; that child will 
never be restored to her mother, her sister, or the love 
and smiles of life We wish to mark the Van- 
dal acts which are performed, for the indignation of 
all enlightened people who come to Rome to admire 
the master-pieces of ancient and modern art, wiiich 
have been respected by barbarous ages, spared by At- 
tila — now injured and broken by Gen. Oudinot. It 
is indeed true, that he has been sent here by a pope, 
who had the name of ^' Pius.'' 

June 19th. The Aurora of Guido JReni, — At 11 
o'clock a 24 lb. ball was shot towards the residence 
of the Triumvirs, in the direction of the telegraph of 
Monte Cavallo. It fell a few feet distant from the 
celebrated colossal statues of- Phidias and Praxiteles, 
and, as if bound by its Vandal commission, broke tlie 
roof of the Loggia Rospigliosi, precisely above the 
head of the celebrated Aurora of Guido Hem. It en- 
tered the ceiling where the fresco is painted ; and 
Gen. Le Vaillant, who directed the gun, may boast 
of his shot. 

13^ 



298 MORE INJURIES BY FRENCH SHOT. 

Half an hour before that, a 36 lb. shot fell on the 
most beautiful and prized monument of ancient Rome 
— the Temple of Fortuna Virilis, breaking the elegant 
cornice and parts of the base. Louis Napoleon may 
now pride himself on having struck, with fratricide 
balls, one of the few Republican reliques which re- 
mained. 

The projectiles which continue to be thrown into the 
city are extremely frequent, and the most important ed- 
ifices seem to be targets for the enemy^s shot. It 
would take a long time to enumerate them. We will 
limit ourselves to mentioning the church of St. Mary 
Trastevere, St. Andrea de la Valle, and St. Carlo 
a'Catinari, Avhich, among many other distinguished 
monuments, contain celebrated frescoes of Domeni- 
chino ; the church and monastery of St. Cosimato, no 
less known for the paintings of Pinturicchio, than for 
its very precious archives, and where one of those cap- 
itals of historic fame was mutilated ; and finally, the 
capitol, in the palaces of which are collected so many 
wonders of antiquity and art. Many shots are contin- 
ually directed at that sanctum of Rome ; and this very 
morning three balls of large calibre fell upon the roof 
of the great Senatorial Palace. 

One of the finest palaces of Raffaele was struck by 
many of their cannon balls ; and one of its beautiful 
columns was broken in pieces. 

Canova's Hercules, in the Casa Torlonia, had a 
narrow escape from destruction, — for a shell fell upon 



SIEGE OF ROME. 299 



the cupola of the temple in which it stands, but did not 
break through ; and thus that master-piece of modern 
art escaped the modern Vandals. 

Recruits were still coming into Rome to join in the 
defence, but many of the inhabitants retired into the 
country every night, to avoid useless exposure to the 
shot and shells. The municipality at length addressed 
the following 



CIRCULAR TO THE FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVES. 

" Honorable gentlemen : — During twenty-two days 
projectiles have been thrown by the French troops upon 
the inhabited parts of this city, injuring even the 
churches and most valuable monuments. In the night 
of the 22d this mode of aggression, which is the more 
to be condemned because of the present state of civil- 
ization, was greatly increased ; and old people and 
children have been made victims. The Roman magis- 
tracy, in this state of things, turn to you, believing it 
certain, that for the interests of humanity, and repre- 
senting great and civilized nations, you cannot remain 
indifferent spectators of a deed so barbarous towards 
the monumental city par excellence, and will effectually 
exert yourselves to prevent this war, which was in no 
way provoked, from producing excesses repugnant to 
the present condition of the civilized nations of Eu- 
rope, 



300 PEOTEST OF FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVES. 

" Receive the sincere protestation of our highest 
esteem. 

"At the Capitol, June 24th, 1849. 

" Francesco Sterbinetti, Senator, 

"GiusEPPi Rossi, Secretary." ' 

An answer was returned the same day, by the Brit- 
ish minister, Hon. George Freeborn, in the name of 
the corps, expressing deep interest, and stating that 
Oudinot had consented to cease firing, and to receive 
a Roman officer at a conference. The following is a 
translation of the note sent by the corps to Oudinot. 
It justly characterizes as barbarous the bombardment 
of a city : 

" General : — The undersigned, Consular agents rep- 
resenting their respective governments, take the liber- 
ty to make known to you, sir, their profound grief at 
your having kept up the bombardment of the Eternal 
City during many days and nights. The object of 
these presents. General, is to make the most energetic 
remonstrances against this mode of warfare, which not 
only puts in peril Jhe lives and property of neutral and 
peaceful citizens, but also those of women and little 
children. 

*' We also notify you. General, that the bombardment 
has already cost the lives of many innocent persons, 
and has destroyed master-pieces of art, which can never 
be replaced. 

" We confide in you, General, that, in the name of 



STEGE OF ROME. 301 



humanity, and of civilized nations, you will desist from 
all future bombardment, to avoid the destruction of 
the City of Monuments^ which is considered as under 
the protection of all the civilized nations of the world.'' 

Signed by Freeborn, Consular Agent of Her Brit- 
anic Majesty ; the Consul of the King of Prussia ; 
the attache to the Embassy of the King of the Low 
Countries ; the Consul of the King of Denmark ; the 
Consul of the Swiss Confederation ; the Consul of 
the King of Wirtemberg ; the Secretary of the Re- 
public of San Salvador ; Nicholas Brown, Consul of 
the United States of America ; James E. Freeman, 
Consul of the United States of America for Ancona ; 
the Consul General for the King of Sardinia, and pro- 
visionally for Tuscany. 

General Oudinot replied, on the morning of the 
25th, that he would spare the inhabitants as much as 
possible ; yet, in the following night, the bombardment 
began again as dreadful as ever, so that the people 
knew not where to seek for safety. Such, however, 
was the universal good order that no disturbance was 
made. That night the important outpost of the Vas- 
cello was attacked by the enemy with resolution ; but 
they were gallantly repulsed, with great loss, by detach- 
ments from the Medici, Melara, Manara, Acioni, and 
Unione regiments, which occupied it. {Seepage 285.) 



302 MORE INJURIES BY FRENCH SHOT. 

THE BOMBARDMENT OF ROME. 

" The 30th of June, 1849," writes a,n eye-witness, 
"was a terrible day for Rome : for then the city yield- 
ed to foreign force. The bombardment, which con- 
tinued three hours, was so incessant and destructive^ 
that it seemed about to bury the whole city in ruins. 
The inhabitants were all in the streets. Here was 
seen a tender mother, with her little ones in her arms, 
running about in search of a safe retreat ; and there 
another making her own breast a shield for her chil- 
dren ; while boys were often met with, trying to carry 
on their shoulders the corpses of their beloved fathers. 
A general murmuring sound was everywhere heard, of 
women lamenting, not for themselves, but for the loss 
of those more dear. A few aged and grey-headed 
persons kneeled on the steps of churches, praying to 
the Lord to give the degraded Pontiflf another mind ; 
while those of a more spirited character ran to where 
the danger was greatest among the falling bombshells. 
Shepherds drove away their flocks, to find some secure 
place ; and, as if the animals themselves shared the 
feelings of men, the air was filled with their mournful 
cries. 

" In one spot in the Piazza di Venezia (the square 
of Venice) a shell burst and killed three persons. A 
woman was crossing the Bridge of Sixtus, when a 
large cannon shot took off her head. While standing 
within a few steps of the Colonna square, I saw, in a 



SIEGE OF ROME. 303 



short time, two convoys pass, carrying a great number 
of wounded persons to the hospital of San Giacomo ; 
and immediately afterwards several others arrived 
with biers and litters, on the same melancholy errand. 
Wherever I went within, I heard long and painful 
lamentations from unfortunate sufferers, whose limbs 
had been cut or torn by the swords or balls of the 
enemy. But amidst all I heard not a single exclama- 
tion against the new government, though a thousand 
against the unbridled vengeance of the Pontiff, who 
had condemned his children to such cruel torments." 

In different parts of the city fires broke out ; and 
the courageous Roman firemen instantly ran to extin- 
guish them. ^^ Hasten," said I, to an old man, of the 
common people, who seemed resolved to remain in the 
Piazza Navona ; " hasten, I pray you, in the name of 
God." " Let me stay," he replied ; " what is there for 
me to do in this world ? Yesterday the French hung 
my son, who was in the battalion of the University ; 
and this night my daughter, the only creature left to 
me, went to get water to quench my thirst, when she 
w^as struck to the ground by a shot." And so saying, 
his sobs interrupted him ; and after a moment he was 
silent and motionless. I thought I might restore him, 
and took his hand in mine. He breathed, but in a few 
moments he breathed his last. 

What the old man had told, proved too true ; and 
the young student was found in a villa outside the city 
walls, hung to a beam. A few days -before, the French 



304 THE INQUISITION OPENED. 

had thrown out of the windows of a house occupied by 
them, several other young men of the University who 
had fallen into their hands. These are truths which 
all Rome Avill attest ; and all Rome would not falsify 
for me. • 

THE OPENING OF THE INQUISITION. 

This edifice, called '' SanV UJizio.!' (the Holy Office,) 
was opened by the Republican Government, and ex- 
posed unexpected secrets and horrors to the world. It 
had been closed for three hundred years, but now was 
freely entered and examined by thousands of the peo- 
ple. Many accounts of it have been published ; but 
that written by De Boni is the most complete. A 
translation of his long description is contained in 
^' The Roman Republic of 1849,'^ and cannot be here 
repeated. While many " intelligent^' Americans will 
not yet believe that such an abominable institution was 
then in Rome, or that it has been again delivered to 
the irresponsible control of the Bloody Dominican 
monks, who have alw^ays been Inquisitors, the calum- 
niated Roman Republicans opened that infernal den to 
the view of mankind, decreed its abolishment, and the 
erection of a monument to its infamy, after they had 
erected, on the ruins of Popery, a system of freedom, 
on the principles of Christianity, for which they de- 
serve the high honor which history must inevitably 
award to them. Americans may learn, from evidence 
there discovered, that the Inquisition has secret spies, 
and plotting, active agents, in every country. 



THE BATTLE OF JUNE 30TH. 

GENERAL GARIBALDl'S LAST OFFICIAL REPORT IN ROME. 

General Head-quarters^ San Pietro . in Montorto, 
July 1, 1849. — Yesterday was a day fruitful in deeds 
of arms: losses and advantages. Yesterday Italy 
counted new martyrs. Colonel Manara leaves a void in 
tlie Republican files, difficult to be supplied. Young, 
of surprising merit and valor, he was struck by an en- 
emy's ball, while courageously defending the Villa Spa- 
da against an enemy very superior. America yesterday 
gave, with the blood of a valiant son, Andrea Aghiar, 
a pledge of the love of liberal men of all countries for 
our fair and unfortunate Italy. 

Lieutenant Colonel Medici distinguished himself by - 
skill and courage, in the defence of the first bastion 
on the right of the gate of San Pancrazio, and of the 
position Savorelli. He was distinguished in the com- 
pany of the brave Colonel Ghilardi, commandant of 
that line. 

The Medici Legion and the first of the line fought 
like lions. They several times repelled assaults in the 
breach, and paid with the precious life of many young 
men, the hope of the country, the sacred debt of all. 

Part of the Manara Legion fought at the point of 

14 (305) 



306 THE FRE^^CH PASS THE WALLS. 

the bayonet with their accustomed courage, in union 
with the companies of the regiment Massi. 

The Italian Legion, under the command of Colonel 
Manara, showed itself worthy of its fame in the de- 
fence of the Villa Spada. The Third of the Line, in 
defending the positions which were confided to it, 
covered itself with glory. 

Garibaldi. 



THE CITY TO CEASE HER RESISTANCE. 

It was now decided that the further defence of 
Eome was impossible, without exposing the city to 
destruction. The enemy were within the walls, and 
could not be dislodged. They were indeed so strong, 
that the Romans would be obliged at least to abandon 
their line, and retire to this side of the Tiber, which 
General Avezzana and Garibaldi proposed to defend 
with obstinacy. But the inhabitants apprehended, 
from such a step, the speedy ruin of their houses by 
the French cannon and shells ; and, after a Council 
which they held with the Assembly, it was resolved to 
cease resistance. Garibaldi saw that his work was 
done in the capital ; and, with feelings which we may 
in some degree realize, he resolved not to witness the 
disgrace brought upon his noble cause, nor to leave 
his gallant companions to be disarmed and remain 
useless to the country. He doubtless foresaw that 
many of them would follow wherever he would lead ; 
^ud then certainly, not less than at other times, he felt 



THE GOVERNMENT DISSOLVED. 307 

an impulse to lead where only courageous men would 
follow. He thought of the city of Venice, then be- 
sieged by the Austrians, by sea and land, and in- 
dulged the flattering hope of being able to reach her, 
and join her brave defenders. The wide space to be 
passed over, and the far superior force which the ene- 
my could send to oppose him, were insufficient to dis- 
courage him ; and he resolved to go. But one 
obstacle was in his way. His wife was urgent to 
accompany him, which he opposed ; but in vain. 

The government issued the following proclama- 
tions : — 

[Translated from the Monitore Romano, of Monday, July 2, 1849.] 
ROMAN REPUBLIC : 

The Constituent Assembly, in the name of God and 
the people, decrees : 

The Triumvirs, Armellini, Mazzini, and Saffi have 
deserved well of the country. 

ALLOC ALETTI, President. 

SANTARGES, 
COCCHI, 
ZAMBIANCH, 
Rome, July lit, 1849. PINNACCHL 

The following was published yesterday : — 
Eomans I The Triumvirate is voluntarily dissolved. 

The Constituent Assembly will communicate to you 

the names of our successors. 



308 PROCLAMATION OF THE TRIUMVIRS. 

The Assembly, deeply affected, after tlie act of yes- 
terday, performed by the enemy, with a desire to 
deliver Rome from extreme dangers, and to prevent 
the fruitless sacrifice of a,ny more lives for the defence, 
have decreed the cessation of hostilities. The men 
who were in the right during the contest, could not 
well continue to govern in the new times which are 
preparing. The mandate sent to them has ceased de 
facto, and they hasten to resign it to the hands of the 
Assembly. 

Romans ! Brothers ! you have written a page which 
will remain in history, a proof of the power and 
energy wliich slept in you, and of your future deeds, 
of which no force can deprive you Assem- 
bled under the Republican banner, you have redeemed 
the honor of the common country, elsewhere contami- 
nated by deeds of evil men, and overthrown by 
monarchical impotency. Your Triumvirs, becoming 
simple citizens among you, carry with them the highest 
comfort in their consciousness of pure intentions, and 
the honor of having their names associated with your 
bravest deeds. 

A cloud is rising to-day over your prospects and 
you. It is the cloud of an hour. Remain firm in 
the consciousness of your rectitude, and with the faith 
in which many armed apostles among you have died. 
God, who has treasured up their blood, is surely for 
you. God wills that Rome shall be great ; and she 
will be. Yours is not a defeat ; it is a victory of the 



PROCLAMATION OF THE CONSTITUTION. 309 

martyrs, to whom the tomb is the passage to heaven. . . . 
Viva la Eepublica Romana ! 
The Triumvirs, 

GIUSEPPE MAZZmi, 
CARLO ARMELLINI, 
AURELIO SAFFL 



THE CONSTITUTION OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC ADOPTED 
— THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY DISSOLVED. 

The Constituent Roman Assembly, in their session 
of yesterday, definitively voted, with unanimity, and 
viva voce, the Constitution of the Republic. 

Having fulfilled, by this act, the essential part of its 
high mission, the Assembly decreed, on motion of the 
Deputy Agostini, that the law be engraved on two 
marble tables and placed on the capitol, as an eternal 
monument of the unanimous will of the people, legiti- 
mately represented by their Deputies. Woe to him 
who shall touch those tables of the new civil and 
political compact which the Roman People 'form with 
themselves before God, in the view of all civilized na- 
tions ! This compact has been sealed with the blood 
of martyrs, with the blood of all those who, following 
the voice of their hearts, hastened to Rome, as to the 
ancient Mother, to defend the honor and the liberty 
of Italy, and to lay the first stone of her future and 
inevitable independence. 

Whatever may be the present results of measures 
which foreign supremacy is preparing, the Assembly, 



310 THE POPE REJECTED FOREVER. 

the People, the National Guard and the Roman Army- 
have the consciousness of having fulfilled their duty. 

(From the same paper.) 

Before dissolving the solemn session, the Assembly 
decreed a funeral in the Basilica of St. Peter, to all 
the heroes who have offered their lives for the country 
and for the Republic, under the walls of Rome. As 
to the wounded, as no less worthy of honor, and in 
need of care, the Assembly voted a Hospital, and ap- 
propriated for the purpose one of the national palaces. 

Finally, that nothing might be wanting to the har- 
mony which always prevails among the people, the 
Constituent Assembly and the citizens in whom, in the 
last moments, they had entrusted the salvation of the 
country, the Assembly declared, by a solemn decree, 
well deserving of the country, the Triumvirs, Armel- 
lini, Mazzini, and SafiB. 

(From the same paper.) 

We have said it, and we repeat it, and we will repeat 
it always : The Republic arose in Rome by universal 
suffrage ; rose on the ruins of the throne of the Popes, 
which the cry of all Europe, the maledictions of all 
civilized nations, and the spirit of the Gospel, had 
crumbled into dust. To-day, when on that throne, 
stigmatized by civilization, flows the blood of so many 
victims, who will dare to raise it again ? A mountain 
of corpses shuts up, to the Pontiff, the way to that 
throne ; and to ascend it again, the white stole of the 



garibaldi's retreat. 311 

priest must be dyed with human blood! Can the 
Pope, like the tyrants, sit upon a seat of bayonets ? 
But it is not in the power of Prance, it is not in the 
power of Europe conspiring, to restore the Pope to 
the minds of citizens, after the enormous events which 
have occurred. The sceptre of the Popes is morally 
broken for ever. 



PROCLAMATION OF THE MINISTER OF WAR. 

Romans ! The last word of the Minister of War is 
a mark of admiration of your valor, and an urgent 
request to you, to persevere in the sacred enterprise 
of the redemption of Italy, 

Your martyrs died with this name upon their lips. 

Difficulties of your condition — adversity of destiny — 
diplomatic snares — deceitful words — let them never 
arrest you. 

The legacy of the valiant who have fallen for you on 
the walls of the Eternal City, is holy and inviolate! 
They have reopened Roman history — Do you continue 
its fame. G. AVEZZANA. 



garibaldi's departure from ROME 

WITH HIS REMAINING TROOPS, AND HIS CELEBRATED RETREAT TO 
THE ADRIATIC. 

Garibaldi collected his troops after the government 
had determined to cease resistance, and addressed them- 
in his Spartan speech, which has been so much ad- 
mired ; then proceeding out of the gates, followed by 



312 GARIBALDI'S ROUTE. 

a considerable portion of his troops, he took his course 
across the Campagna, his wife accompanying him on 
horseback, notwithstanding all his affectionate remon- 
strances. He had resolved to make a desperate effort, 
to avoid the necessity of submitting to the enemy. 

The retreat of Garibaldi from Eome to the little 
port of Cesenatico, on the Adriatic, while pursued by 
an Austrian and a French army, has been much ad- 
mired for the boldness, skill and judgment which were 
displayed, through a daily change of dangers, discour- 
agements and sufferings, which would seem too great 
to be so long endured. His route lay through Forli 
and Cantalupo to Terni, then declined to the left to 
Todi, Capretto and Orvieto, where the French troops 
showed themselves ; then on to the frontier of Tuscany, 
after which they passed Arezzo, and crossing a mount- 
ain, reached Cisterna ; then, passing on to Borgo, 
Santangelo in Vado, and Montefeltro, he arrived at 
San Marino, near the close of July, and left there on 
the night of the 31st for Cesenatico, where they embark- 
ed in several boats, and sailed for Venice. Several 
of these were captured or sunk, and others driven to 
the shore, among which last was that which contained 
Garibaldi, his wife, Bassi, Cicerouacchio, and his two 
sons, whose fate has been mentioned in the preceding 
pages. 

Incidents of that remarkable retreat are briefly given 
in " The Eoman Eepiiblic of 1849,'^ and more fully in 
an Italian journal by one of the company, and afford 



3iv- 

many proofs of the boldness, skill and perseverance of 
the leader, and of the devotion, bravery and endurance 
of his soldiers, until they had become worn out with 
their harrassing and suffering march. Towards the 
close of it some displayed a pusilanimity under the 
attacks of the enemy, which he refers to with severity 
and bitterness, in contrast with the conduct of some 
of the high-spirited South Americans whom he had 
formerly known. Their trials, however, were exces- 
sively great, especially at the time of their reacliing 
San Marino, and after leaving that place. 



SAN MARINO. 

As San Marino Ijas often been held up to the view 
of Americans as a practical proof that Popery is not 
incompatible with Eepublican principles, — nay, to 
prove that it has fostered, protected and perpetuated 
a ^' Republic'' adjacent to its own territory — it will 
be well to contemplate that miserable little state, 
about which the most ludicrous misconceptions pre- 
vail among many people in the United States, in con- 
sequence of gross misrepresentations. 

Near the end of the third century, according to 
Clementini, an old historian, Diocletian, wishing to 
restore the ruins of Ariminicum, (Rimini), brought 
from his native country, Dalmatia, laborers and 
artists, many of whom were slaves. One of the 
laborers, named Marino, was a zealous Christian. 
In tlie year 303, Diocletian commenced his pcrsecu- 
14 



.Q-tr^ SAN MARINO. 



tions against Christians, when Marino joined the 
priests in resisting by force of arms, in union with the 
Bishop of Forlim-populi (Forli). They were at first 
successful, and repelled the troops of the Proconsul ; 
but the latter afterwards drove the Christians to the 
mountains, on one of which, then called Titano, 
Ma-rino lived in solitude. Attracted by his fame and 
the retired nature of the country, numbers of poor 
people joined him from Dalmatia, and refugees from 
different parts of Italy. He afterwards attended a 
council at Rimini, where he was admitted as a deacon. 
After his death he was buried on the summit of Mount 
Titano, which has since borne his name, he being con- 
sidered a saint. A church, as usual, has since been 
erected over his grave, in which is a statue holding 
the figure of a mountain with three towers, which 
forms the arms of the " Eepuhlic,^^ 

What kind of a republic that is may be easily 
understood, when it is known that, although San 
Marino bears the name, the people nominally have the 
right of choosing their oflScers, and managing their own 
afi'airs, both internally and externally, they are in the 
same degraded condition with all the Pope's subjects 
around, have one of his nuncio's residing in their 
petty little capital, which is a poverty-stricken village, 
in a palace, where he exercises all the dictatorial 
authority which he pleases to claim, over the minds, 
consciences and conduct of the people. The people 
themselves have no education worthy of the name, 



GARIBALDI^S RETREAT. 



having no knowledge of this world or the next, except 
such as their priests think proper to give. A republic ! 
Without freedom of thought, speech or action, ignorant 
of the Word of God, denied its use, and with scarcely 
a single idea, like all other submissive subjects of 
Popery, except blind obedience to their priests. 

Garibaldi had entered San Marino, by permission 
of their chief men, and hoped to find there a secure 
resting-place for a time, exhausted by their long and 
distressing march. But he soon ascertained that the 
Austrians were about to be admitted, with the consent 
of the degraded and spiritless men who bore the 
nominal title of rulers of the " Eepublic." He there- 
fore madf^ a sudden and daring sortie, in the middle 
of a dark night, with a few resolute followers, broke 
through the lines of the enemy, which had been drawn 
around the mountain, and made a rapid march to 
Cesenatico, where he found boats, and embarked as 
has been mentioned. 



Q-ff 



CONCLUSIOK. 



The sad termination of Garibaldi^s voyage on the 
Adriatic has been described by himself in such affect- 
ing terms, at the close of his " Sketch of Anna Gari- 
baldi," that we need not repeat it here. He alone 
remains alive of the distinguished personages who were 
driven ashore, on that occasion, by the Austrian squad- 
ron near the mouth of the river Po. His admirable 
wife died in his arms on the shore, and was buried in a 
secret grave, which we believe is known only to him- 
self at this day. The Koman Tribune, with his two 
sons, retreated to the neighboring marshes, and all 
of them were probably murdered by the Austrians. 
The fate of Bassi has already been mentioned in de- 
tail. 

The escape of Garibaldi himself seems almost mirac- 
ulous. By what means, and under what circum- 
stances, we have never learned, but he succeeded in 
crossing Italy, through the midst of watchful enemies. 
He reached Genoa, but was soon compelled to leave 
Piedmont, and sailed to Algeria, whence, after a few 
months, he came to New York. 

(316) 



CONCLUSION. 



The father of General Garibaldi died while his son 
was in South America ; and his mother survived until 
about the year 1853, when her death occurred in Nice. 
The high respect in which that excellent lady was 
held, for her son's sake as well as her own, was affect- 
ingly proved by the feelings of general grief ex- 
pressed by the whole body of the people. Her funeral 
was attended by an extraordinary concourse, who 
formed a long procession, and moved, by torchlight, 
several miles, to the cemetery where she was interred. 



garibaldi's appearance on his first arrival in 
new york, in 1850. 

[Hasty notes of the Translator's first interview with him.] 

He was at the house of his countryman, Signor 
Pastacaldi, in Irving Place, and occupied an apart- 
ment adjoining that of Mr. Foresti, who introduced me. 

He has a broad and round forehead ; a straight and 
almost perpendicular nose, not too small, but of a deli- 
cate form ; heavy brown moustaches and beard, which 
conceal the lower part of his face ; a full, round chest ; 
free and athletic movements, notwithstanding ill health, 
and a rheumatism which disables his right arm ; a 
full, dark eye, steady, penetrating and pensive, but 
mild and friendly ; an easy, natural, frank and unas- 
suming carriage, with a courteous nod and a ready 
grasp of the hand, as a recognition of one introduced 



p-*^ CONCLUSION. 



by his friend, Foresti. Such was Garibaldi, as he 
appeared at the first glance, and before he had time 
to speak. 

His first words were uttered in a tone correspond- 
ing with the courtesy of his movements and the glance 
of his eye ; while the freedom of his utterance, and 
the propriety and beauty of his language, drew all my 
attention, from his form and features, to the sentiments 
he expressed and the facts he mentioned. To my sur- 
prise, I found my thoughts turned, in part, from the 
fields of battles, the siege of Rome, and the sortie of 
San Marino, to the principles of the Italian Revolu- 
tion, and the true doctrines of Christianity, perverted 
by the enemies of Italian liberty. The cruelties of 
Popery — its degrading tendency — its duplicity, hypoc- 
risy, idolatry and atrocities — its history, desperate 
condition, and inevitable ruin — were treated by him 
in rapid succession, with the clearness of a theologian 
and a statesman combined, and in language which 
united, in a peculiar degree, propriety, beauty and 
force. And all this was done without an appearance 
of the slightest effort. He did not hesitate, for an in- 
stant, for an idea or for a word ; and it was self- 
evident that he spoke under the combined influence of 
feelings fully decided, a clear judgment fully con- 
vinced, and both in perfect harmony. No man, I 
thought, could listen to him, even for a few moments, 
without the certain conviction, not only that he spoke 
in accordance with his convictions, but under the 



CONCLUSION. 



direct, imperative, and solemn direction of hx. 
science. 

I had experienced several unexpected changes of 
mind and feeling, before I had been long in the com- 
pany of that extraordinary man. I recollect that I 
made a silent reflection, as I left his company, that, 
although I had heard men speak eloquently, and im- 
pressively, before, and had admired the characters 
which some of them had displayed, and approved the 
principles which they avowed, Garibaldi raised my 
mind and impressed my heart in a manner altogether 
new, surprising and indescribable. 

To this we will now (July, 1859,) add only the fol- 
lowing questions : 

Who would not wish that Americans might be 
acquainted with the real characters of the Italian 
patriots, and especially such as have been suffering 
severely and enduring nobly in exile, in the midst of 
us, often calumniated, and sometimes persecuted, even 
in this, our land of liberty, by their insatiable ene- 
mies ? 

And who would hesitate to Approve the following 
brief, but just eulogium on Garibaldi, written by 
Mazzini, in 1850, which we translate from ^^ Italia del 
Popolo ? " 

"There is around the name of Garibaldi a halo 
which nothing can extinguish : a whole life devoted 
to one object — his country ; a name consecrated by 



p-*^ 



CONCLUSION. 



^ ^o of honor, first abroad, and then at home ; valor 
and constancy more than admirable ; simplicity of 
life and manners which recalls the men of antiquity ; 
all the most mournful trials and losses manfully en- 
dured ; glory and proverty ! Every particular relat- 



ing to such a man is precious. 



" G. Mazzini." 




LB 20 



